Local veterans visit Historical sites during WDAY Honor Flight

Charles Svalen of McIntosh, MN along with his brother DeLano, from Braddock, ND  were among the veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Charles had joined the US Army and was stationed to Korea, DeLano also joined the US Army and was stationed in Alaska, during their time of service.

On November 5, 2017, the WDAY Honor Flight left Fargo, ND Hector airport in route to Washington D.C. with a full plane of men and women aboard.

Upon their arrival, they visited many sites including Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery - having the opportunity to view the changing of the Guard Ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier along with the FDR Memorial.

That evening they had a banquet held in their honor with a program that featured the singing of many of the nostalgic musical tunes of the era.

On the second day of the tour, the group boarded the bus and were transported to the National Archives, Lincoln and Korean Memorials,  They were able to view the Vietnam Memorial from a distance as it was being cleaned.

The group gathered at the WWII Memorial and a group commemorative photo was taken memorializing the event.

On a bus tour they were able to view the White House, The National  Capital, Supreme Court building, Library of Congress, Naval and Air Force memorials and the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport a branch of the Air & Space Museum.

Around 8:00 on the evening of November 6, the flight landed back at Hector  airport.

The veterans were greeted by family, friends and other veterans, bands, many carrying welcome signs or waving flags.

The WDAY Honor Flight has flown over 1,000 WWII and Korean and Vietnam War Veterans for a once in a lifetime opportunity trip to Washington DC, free of charge, to see their war memorials. 

It's a chance for our community to say "thank you" to these deserving men and women.  The motto is “Recognizing the Sacrifices and Honoring Our Men and women Veterans.”

Article courtesy of The Erskine Echo.