Polk County Commissioner Warren Strandell released another County Line Column earlier today. It can be found down below –
Wherever you went, it seemed, there were people — kids, adults, military members, just everyone — that were applauding you, shaking your hand, and thanking you for your service. You were made to feel like a real hero and that treatment never ended the whole weekend.
I’m talking about the Veterans Honor Flight, the three-day, two-night trip to Washington, D.C., that is made available to military veterans.
Although far less worthy than many veterans, especially those whose service went all the way to the frontlines, I had the privilege of being on the trip that flew out of Fargo on Saturday, April 30, and returned Monday evening, May 2.
Of the 183 people on the chartered airplane, 84 were veterans (4 from World War II, 71 from the Korean era, and 9 from the Vietnam years). Those vets represented 60 from Army service, 6 Air Force, 4 Marines, 13 Navy and 1 Coast Guard. Two of the vets the were women.
Lots of support
On the trips everything is taken care of by about 85 volunteers (doctors, nurses, and staff members all of whom are unpaid). Should you need any kind of medical attention, want/need a wheelchair — and if even if you don’t — the volunteers offer to provide them. They are always asking if you wouldn’t rather ride than walk. There were some 70 wheelchairs available on the trip along with the volunteers needed to load and push them. A family member can go along to help take care of their vet but they pay their way.
As of this latest trip, the Veterans Honor Flight North Dakota/Minnesota organization has flown approximately 1,349 veterans to Washington, D.C. There, veterans are driven past such places as the Capitol and White House with stops at such sites as the Fort McHenry National Monument, the Arlington National Cemetery (to watch the changing of the guard), the Iwo Jima, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Air Force, Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, World War I and World War II memorials, and the National Archives.
A few observances and thoughts:
- The Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine was described as the birthplace of the United States and where, at the end of the War of 1812, the Star Bangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key. His inspiration came from the defeat of what had been the heavily armed British forces — both in ships and ground forces — who finally abandoned their attempt to proceed into Washington. This was largely because of the threat posed by the big cannon balls that were launched from 26 cannons at Fort McHenry. Those cannon balls, known as “hot shots” because they were heated prior to firing, kept the British at a distance to avoid the damage the balls would do to their wood ships. Finally, the Brits left and the American victory became evident with daybreak on the morning of September 14, 1814. Thus, the song. You might pay more attention to the words when you sing/hear it at the next ball game or wherever. The words mean a lot more to me now. In fact, I’m probably going to feel a few goose bumps.
- The Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery was very touching. But just as impressive as the ongoing drill was the complete attention, respect and even reverence that about 100 young visiting school children showed for the ritual. Those kids, likely much to the credit of their teachers beforehand, were locked into what the highly skilled soldiers were doing as they marched, halted, did snappy right/left turns, stood at complete attention for 21 seconds, turned back in line and took 21 steps before repeating the practice again. As I watched those kids, I found myself thinking that if they and more like them around the country are the ones who will be in charge in the years to come, I’ll have no concern about where this country is heading.
- On the many tiered steps outside the Arlington National Cemetery, which covers 625 acres and is home to 40,000 plus hero soldiers, sat a handsome young man. With him was his wife, family member, friend, or whoever it was. He needed help to stand. His legs below the knee were gone. In their place were prosthesis… some artificial legs. I wasn’t able to continue watching, just had to turn away. My emotions took over. He fit the real description of hero.
Other thoughts included:
- While moving along in our bus (four buses were used to tour the city), we passed an area where a Porta Potty was situated. Eddy, our driver, pointed it out and then reported that the facility had been dubbed by a Marine officer as the Jane Fonda memorial. Further, it was said that if so inclined, appropriate deposits could be left.
- There were a few military remembrances, too, like those of the “hurry up and wait” practice that is so common. There weren’t any KP or guard duty assignments, though. While reveille didn’t start each morning, there could have a good rendition of one ahead of the breakfast that was served at oh-600 on our last day. That time meant that most alarms had to go off at oh- 500. With the one hour lost with the time zone change, we were up by oh-400. That was early, even in military time.
- At the conclusion of the banquet on our final evening, the night concluded with mail call. Honor Flight organizers had arranged for notes and letters to be written by our family members, friends, and colleagues. A few were penned too by school children from throughout the area. My packet had 56 notes and letters. Wow. If time were to be rolled back some 60 years, I might have been tempted to re-up. (If not familiar with that word, just ask a vet.)
Great experience
So, that’s a little bit of what transpired on our trip. It was a great experience all the way around. If you are a veteran, you might consider making an application to go on the next one. It will leave from Grand Forks in the fall.
Oh, and one last thing, it wouldn’t hurt one bit if you were to add the Veterans Honor Flight to your giving practices. It takes an awful lot of money and work to put one of these together. No stones are left unturned in the care of veterans, almost all of whom are up in years with the physical issues that come with age and hard knocks. That’s why there were all those wheelchairs and medical personnel.
All of this is done with money earned through fund drives and donations and by the work of volunteers. There are no government grants. The total cost of a trip, including the chartered airplane, hotel (a Marriott in Baltimore), meals, snacks, escorts, etc. runs over $230,000. Donations can be mailed to: Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN, P.O. Box 644, West Fargo, ND 58078.
And to all vets, thank you for your service.
Thoughts for the day:
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. — President John Kennedy
Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution is called whining. — Teddy Roosevelt
