WWII Veterans Honor Flight
PERKINS, THEISS, KENNEDY, MERWIN, ROCKMAN, HOLLAND, HILL, WARNER, SCHNEIDER, HUMPHREY, RICH, THOMAS, OLTMAN, DATEMA, DEWITT, LEWIS, LAPOINTE, GALLIGAN, YUNEK, LEICHTMAN, HANSON, LOVEJOY, STUDER, HAIDEN
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/4/2011 at 10:29:02
Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, April 16, 2009
by John H. PerkinsHonor Flight will take wing Saturday
Elder veteran offers insight into meaning of tripSaturday morning, April 18, 2009, 107 aged North Iowa World War II veterans, accompanied by a bevy of doctors, nurses, and caregivers, will take off into the wild blue yonder from the Mason City, Iowa airport on a very special trip. We will be off to Washington, D.C. to visit our very own Memorial, which was dedicated May 29, 2004.
Why do we go? Some go in honor of their buddies who did not come home.
Some, because most of us have never had the opportunity to visit the hallowed site. Statistics show that 1,200 of what Tom BROKAW called, in his dedication speech, "The Greatest Generation," are dying each day and we know not when it will be our turn.
Because we remember when patriotism in our homeland was at an all time high, and the cry of the citizenry was: "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR."
Because we remember when gasoline and trucks were rationed. And my wife, Marlus, who managed our dairy while I was away for two years, had to appear before the ration board if the need was only for a truck tire.
Because we remember when sugar, coffee, cheese, meat and shoes, were rationed.
Because we remember when oleo-margarine replaced butter on the dining room table.
Because President ROOSEVELT had declared Pearl Harbor Day "A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY."
Because we had learned some new phrases, "Concentration Camp," "Battle of the Bulge," "Normandy Beach," and "Enola Gay."
Because when our wives and sisters went to work in the shipyards and airplane factories they were called "Rosie the Riveter."
Because we remember "Omaha Beach."
Because a Victory Garden was needed to feed most families.
And because we wanted to see the special monument that a grateful country had built in our honor at a cost of $182 million dollars.
However, many of the veterans this memorial honors could not afford such a trip, while many physically were not able to travel alone.
That is when Earl MORSE, a physician assistant in Springfield, Ohio, also a private pilot, recruited several other private pilots to join with him to fly a few veterans in private planes, free of charge, to D.C. and escort them for the day to see their Memorial.
In May of 2005, 12 happy veterans in six small airplanes made the trip, free of charge. Honor Flight was born. In that first year, 2005, 137 WWII veterans made the trip at no cost to the veteran.
In 2006, 891 WWII veterans made the trip at no cost to the veteran. In 2007, over 5,000 veterans made the trip at no cost to the veteran. In the fourth year, 2008, 11,137 veterans made the trip at no cost to the veteran. In 2009 the goal is for 25,000 veterans to make the trip at no cost to the veteran.
And we go because we wanted to know if we could still hear-- echoing from the marble statues and stone pillars-- BROKAW'S "The Greatest Generation."
NOTE" Clear Lake historian John PERKINS passed away Sunday, April 24, 2011, at the age of 99 years.
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Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, March 19, 2009
by Marianne MorfClear Lake veterans will be aboard April Honor Flight to D.C.
It's hard to tell who's more excited -- the 16 local veterans who will participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. next month, or the organizers and sponsors who are helping to make the trip a reality.
Dave THEISS is heading up local efforts to include Clear Lake area veterans on the April 18 Honor Flight trip spearheaded by the Winnebago County Veterans Affairs. Honor Flight is a national program that seeks to bring as many World War II veterans to the new World War II Monument as it possibly can.
"We are losing our veterans at a rate of 1,200 per day," said THEISS, citing national statistics supplied by the Veteran's Administration. "Last calendar year we lost seven World War II veterans from here in Clear Lake. That makes this an important, imminent project."
Veterans from at least eight North Iowa counties will take part in the April Honor Flight, including John PERKINS, who at age 97 says he is excited to be able to make the trip; the assistance guardian support personnel will provide is also welcomed.
"I went to D.C. a long time ago, but I have never seen the World War II Monument. I am excited to be going," said PERKINS, whose military service began as a pilot, then transitioned to airplane mechanic for the War Training Service.
Jack KENNEDY, who served in the Army in the European Theater, is another who has been to the nation's capitol a number of times, but has never seen the World War II Memorial, which opened to the public in 2004.
"I had heard of Honor Flights and I consider it a real privilege to go," said KENNEDY.
THEISS notes that it is not just being able to visit the monuments, but doing it with other veterans, which makes the Honor Flights so special.
At least one local veteran suggested another should take his spot, because he could see the memorial with family another time, said THEISS. "I told him that experiencing the trip with his World War II buddies is what this was all about and I'm leaving his name on the list."
Jim MERWIN, 85, said he has visited D.C. several times in the past when family members lived in the area. Yet, the Army chemical warfare specialist says he expects this trip to be something special.
"Everyone's been talking about it quite a bit at the V.F.W. and I think it will be something we'll all hold onto for the rest of our lives."
The Honor Flight-Winnebago group will depart the Mason City Municipal Airport at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 18. The plane will arrive in Washington, D.C. at 10:30 a.m. and the group will board buses to travel to the World War II Memorial. Following lunch at the memorial and a group picture at the Iowa Memorial, they will be back on the buses and on their way to the Lincoln Monument, Korean and Vietnam Memorials. A city tour will also include drive-bys of the Washington and Jefferson Monuments, the Capitol Building and White House. The group will then proceed to Arlington National Cemetery, where they will be taken to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, lay a wreath, and observe a Changing of the Guard. After a stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial and a group picture they will return to Dulles Airport for a flight back to Mason City. They are expected to arrive back in North Iowa at 10:30 p.m. that night.
THEISS said planning is already underway to organize another Honor Flight this fall. Donations are being accepted to provide as many veterans as possible with a free trip to their memorial. Donations may be directed to: Honor Flight-Winnebago, P.O. Box 191, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. The total cost of an Honor Flight trip is estimated at more than $90,000. Veterans make the trip for free, while guardians pay their own way.
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kimt3News
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
October 11, 2009
by Byron HoulgraveHome News: Local Vets Prepare for Honor Flight
MASON CITY, IA--A group of Mason City and Clear Lake area veterans is gearing up for their own Honor Flight. Nearly a hundred vets are preparing for take-off next Saturday.They received special hats, t-shirts, books and other information about the trip Sunday in Mason City.
A flight coordinator said the event is a great opportunity to share stories.
"Many of the veterans have never ever once talked about their experiences during the war," said Nancy ROCKMAN, the Mason City coordinator for Honor Flight Winnebago. "This is a wonderful experience for them to share different stories with people that shared all of the same experiences."
Organizers of next weekend's journey are also making plans to put together another Honor Flight next spring.
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Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Sunday, October 18, 2009
by Byron HoulgraveHonor Flight inspires stories
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 100 North Iowa area World War II veterans shucked the cold, wet elements of Mother Nature on Saturday in the nation's capital, taking part in the recent Honor Flight Winnebago trip.
Here are some stories collected from Saturday's event
A day to reminisce
MASON CITY — World War II veterans began showing up to the Mason City Airport long before sunrise on Saturday. For many, the Honor Flight day-trip to Washington, D.C. had consumed the last few weeks of their lives.
"This is a wonderful thing," said Francis HOLLAND of Mason City. HOLLAND was joined by about 100 fellow North Iowa area WWII veterans in a hangar, waiting to board the Sun Country Boeing 737."I really appreciate it," HOLLAND said, regarding the Honor Flight Winnebago organization.
HOLLAND served from 1943-1946 in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the Army Airways Communication System. He said he had always wanted to be a fighter pilot, but he was ineligible due to colorblindness. That didn't prevent him from his love of aviation. HOLLAND said he flew privately for 25 years after returning from the war.
Between comments, HOLLAND would pause to wave to a familiar face, or greet a friend.
On the plane, friendships were either being forged or being renewed.
'Where did you serve?' … 'What years were you over?' … 'What branch were you with?'
War stories were shared all day long.
"This is all about these veterans," said Steven HILL of North Mankato, Minn. HILL was a guardian to his father, Dick HILL, of Clear Lake.
"What a wonderful time. They get to talk to each other, and some of these guys have never talked about (their war experiences)," Steven HILL said.
War hero recalls injury
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There's Army strong, and then there's Laverne WARNER strong.WARNER, a World War II veteran from Mason City, served the U.S. Army in 1944-1946, as a rifleman in the Army Infantry 91st Division. While in Italy, he fell under sniper fire and was struck in the head.
The bullet entered his right cheek, just under his eye and exited out his left cheek.
"A sniper shot me, but I survived," Warner said, bearing the evidence of his assault in the form of a speech impediment.
His speech may be slowed, but his mind is very sharp. He recalls the very day the attack happened.
"It happened on October 1st, 65 years ago," he said.
Warner spent time in and out of four different hospitals and underwent surgical procedures. Despite his injury, WARNER said he went right back to work after his injury. His duties were limited to the kitchen, however.
WARNER was part of the Honor Flight Winnebago, which flew to Washington, D.C. on Saturday to spend the day touring the national war monuments.
"It's very good. Very good," WARNER said of the trip.
WARNER'S family was on hand to welcome their hero back to Mason City at the Mason City Airport Saturday night. He was received with hugs and praise.
"It's a nice homecoming than it was back then," he said.
A call to duty
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mud is nothing new to Mason City veteran Cletus SCHNEIDER, who traveled to D.C. with about 100 other area war veterans on Saturday as part of the Honor Flight. The soggy, mucky ground of Washington, D.C. on Saturday was nothing compared to the grounds of Germany in World War II, where he spent his service in the Army.
"It was mud all the way," SCHNEIDER said.
SCHNEIDER was on the front lines in a field artillery unit. His job was to count rations for the 300 or so prisoners his division collected.
"The prison camp was so full of mud," he said. "I went to count purchase one day, and I stood in the mud too long and when I started to count the rows I couldn't get my feet out of the mud and I fell in the mud."
SCHNEIDER recalled the cackle of the prisoners after his fall.
"The prisoners just laughed," he said, adding that about six or so broke rank to go assist him. "They pulled me out of the mud and scraped all that mud off me. They went back in line and didn't crack a smile," he said.
SCHNEIDER returned home and worked for the Mason City Globe Gazette, operating a typeset machine. The machine is now on display at the Kinney Pioneer Museum.
Despite the hell of war, SCHNEIDER recalled his military years as being some of the best in his life.
"I should have never come home," he said, laughing. "It was quite an experience."
Honor Flight committee member asks 'Greatest Generation' to talk
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Prior to the landing of Saturday's Honor Flight, one organization committee member had some sage advice for North Iowa veterans.
Jack CAPUTO, an Honor Flight Winnebago committee member from Forest City, announced over the Sun Country plane's speaker system that each time a veteran dies, a library closes. He encouraged the some 100 North Iowa veterans who were part of Saturday's day-trip to Washington, D.C. to open up.
"Veterans, please talk to your families," CAPUTO said. "Yeah, it can hurt a little bit. It hurts when I tell some of my stuff from (Viet)nam."
CAPUTO stressed that veterans owe their families their stories.
"You owe it to your family because you're history," he said.
He said so much of the liberties experienced in the United States today are because of WWII veterans.
"We don't speak Japanese, we don't speak German, we speak English," Caputo said. "The teachers teach us how to read, but we read it in English because of you."
CAPUTO'S speech inspired an applause afterward, as the plane of 162 passengers made its way home to North Iowa.
"Tell your families what you did, so they can record the history if the Greatest Generation."
Scared to death
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bob HUMPHREY of Clear Lake landed in Liverpool, England on is 21st birthday. HUMPHREY served the U.S. Army from 1943-45, with the medical battalion with an infantry division.
"Thirty days after D-Day we landed on Omaha Beach. I was in the war ever since, until the end," HUMPHREY said. Like many young men and women serving during the war, there were a lot of uncertain times.
"Sometimes you were scared to death," HUMPHREY said. "But I never got hurt so I came through ok. I was real lucky."
HUMPHREY was part of Saturday's Honor Flight Winnebago trip to Washington, D.C. Like many veterans, HUMPHREY said the World War II Memorial was his favorite.
"I never would have expected anything like this," he said.
Raised in Fertile, HUMPHREY moved to Clear Lake after the war and got married. He took a job painting houses and later attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City and then moved on to Caterpillar dealership in Mason City, where he worked for 27 years.
He said coming home from the war was no big thing.
"We just came home and went to work," he said. "That's all."
A great day to fly
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The jets of the Sun Country Boeing 737 hummed lowly as North Iowa area war veterans began boarding at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
The sound was a familiar one for William RICH of Clear Lake, one of more than 100 participants of the Honor Flight. RICH spent much of his life in and around airplanes, which began by passing an entrance exam to the U.S. Army Air Corps in the early 1940s. After training at bases in Wisconsin and southern California, RICH was shipped to England with his crew.
His mission was short-lived, however.
"We were there at the end of the war, but we did get in 15 missions before D-Day was declared," RICH said.
RICH continued to fly after the war, and said Saturday's trip was a "great flight."
"Too bad the weather didn't cooperate, but other than that it's been great," he said.
RICH had been to D.C. before, but hadn't seen the World War II Memorial.
"And I was particularly interested in the Iwo Jima Memorial because my brother was a Marine in Iwo Jima," he said. "He had quite an experience," he said of his brother, Lewis, who lives in Glidden.
"He was wounded, so I was kind of interested in the Iwo Jima Memorial."
Funding an Honor Flight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Without donations and the financial support of each community, the Honor Flight would not be an option.
Each flight costs roughly $90,000, according to Honor Flight Winnebago president Dave THEISS of Clear Lake. The only way that kind of money is available is through private funds, nothing more. All the money that goes into the Honor Flight comes from community donations, fundraisers and other private gifts.
"No tax money is used at all," THEISS said. "This is privately funded."
As far as fundraising goes, THEISS said the local VFW offices are doing some pretty heavy collecting.
"In Forest City they did several different pancake breakfasts. Everybody kind of does their own thing," THEISS said.
Many places of business will have collection jars to help raise money. The money all goes to the same place, THEISS said, so it doesn't matter if you donate in one community or another.
The money collected is used to see that all World War II veterans are flown to Washington, D.C. for free. The veterans are the only participants the funds are used for. Guardians who take the trip are responsible for financing their trip. Individually, it costs roughly $600 per person for the trip.
The communities in North Iowa have been very supportive of their veterans, THEISS said.
Next April, Honor Flight Winnebago will begin sending veterans to Washington, D.C. again thanks "to the benevolence of our communities," THEISS said.
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, June 3, 2010
by Jon EricsonHonor Flight participants encourages others to sign up
CEDAR FALLS --- Phil THOMAS remembers his Honor Flight well.
He and his daughter has been searching out how to get on a list to take one of the flights to Washington, D.C., to tour war memorials. He eventually got on a list for the Quad Cities chapter of the Honor Flight organization. Three weeks prior to a September flight, he got the call that one veteran had gotten sick and THOMAS could take his place.
Since a more local chapter of the Honor Flight organization formed, THOMAS has been helping sponsor Hy-Vee and the new chapter promote the event. The North Central Iowa Honor Flight will have two such events this summer, flying World War II veterans east on June 22 and Sept. 14. The chapter serves an area from south of Cedar Rapids to Bremer County.
The night before THOMAS' flight, he drove down to the Quad Cities to stay with a friend. Then he rose at 4 a.m. to start a whirlwind day.
In the nation's capital, THOMAS got to see the National World War II Memorial, the Vietnam memorial and the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
Perhaps what stands out most in his memory is the way they were treated upon sendoff from Moline, Ill., arrival in Washington and when they returned to the Quad Cities.
"Sen. Chuck GRASSLEY came out to see us in Washington," he said. "And USO ladies danced for us when we got back." Crowds of at least 100 attended the comings and goings of the crew of veterans on the Honor Flight.
THOMAS served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The war itself snuck up on him. He had worked late the night of Dec. 6, 1941. He slept in the next day and later had a date, whom he took to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. He started hearing people talk about Pearl Harbor and thought, "What the heck is Pearl Harbor?"
He would learn soon enough, as he would join the Navy, serving from 1943 into 1946.
THOMAS encourages other World War II veterans to apply for the Honor Flight.
"I'm sure anyone would love to see the monuments," THOMAS said. "They treat you really well."
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, April 28, 2011
by Laura BirdHanlontown man talked into taking Honor Flight
HANLONTOWN — Ever since Honor Flight Winnebago was formed two years ago, sisters Connie OLTMAN, Manly, and Terri DATEMA, Clear Lake, have been trying to convince their father Kenneth DeWITT of Hanlontown to go on the trip. Knowing that the flight on Tuesday was the last one, they continued to push for it, but it wasn’t either of them who eventually convinced him to go.
"The mailman finally talked him into it," OLTMAN said with a laugh.
DeWITT admitted on Wednesday, the day after the trip, that it was his mail carrier who convinced him to go, and he was glad he did.
"It was real nice," said DeWITT, who was in the Army from 1944-1947 during World War II. "We saw a lot of things."
It was his first trip to Washington, D.C., which saw highs in the 80's on Tuesday.
Ag LEWIS, Mason City, had been to Washington before but said it was a "completely different experience" with the Honor Flight.
"It was much more memorable," said Lewis who was a nurse in Gen. PATTON'S 3rd Army. "It's just different seeing it with the men who fought at all those places, and all the places I'd been and probably taken care of them. It was just a delight."
Fifty-eight World War II veterans participated in the day-long trip to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. They returned around midnight that night after a storm delayed their flight for two hours. Waiting for them at the Mason City Municipal Airport were more than 100 North Iowans waving flags and holding signs.
"It was just fantastic," LEWIS said. "I just had no idea; I couldn't believe those people would stand in that cold. It was just unreal. Two hours late and they were still there bundled up like Eskimos."
DeWITT was surprised by how many people were still there, too. Family and friends were determined to wait despite the delay.
"We hope to (make it until midnight)," said Betty LAPOINTE, Mason City, one of LEWIS' friend. "There's a whole row of us out here to greet her."
World War II Army veteran Duane GALLIGAN, New Hampton, had 13 family members waiting for him. Most of them came from New Hampton, with a couple traveling from McGregor. Two of his grandchildren missed school to be there.
"We're very proud," said his daughter Colleen LEICHTMAN, New Hampton. "I think it's (Honor Flight) fantastic."
Lisa YUNEK, Mason City, agreed.
"I think it's an amazing thing getting the veterans to Washington, D.C., and being recognized," YUNEK said. "They really were the great generation."
She was there with her sisters Sandy HANSON, Mason City, and Gina LOVEJOY, Boise, Idaho, to welcome home their father, Gerald STUDER, and uncle, Richard HAIDEN, both of Mason City.
Honor flight photograph courtesy of Globe Gazette
Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2011
Cerro Gordo Documents maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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