Central Iowa World War II veterans board an "Honor Flight" to take them to Washington, D.C. (WHO) |
A few hundred Iowa veterans are in the nation's capital Tuesday. The group is visiting the new memorial dedicated to their service in World War II.
A a crowd of a couple thousand gathered at the Des Moines International Airport to send the veterans off in style. Urbandale Hy-Vee Store Manager Brett Bremser says, "We had people here at 1:30 in the morning waiting to get into the parking lot."
Angela Swieter came with a sign to support her dad and uncle. She says, "We're here to honor them this morning and show them our support." Both men served in World War II and are on the Central Iowa Honor Flight.
Swieter says, "I think they were just looking forward to the opportunity to be with other veterans."
The plane is taking 350 Iowa veterans to the nation's capital. They'll see the monument honoring them for their service. The flight is free, thanks to a $250,000 donation from Hy-Vee. Bresmer says, "It's a really significant event for these veterans and we want to show our appreciation for what they've done."
This is the first Central Iowa Honor Flight, but organizers say they hope it won't be the last. Bresmer says, "There's an opportunity, five more flights to get all the veterans out of Iowa, and we're hoping with this and the awareness, people will contribute and there will be more flights after this." People can contribute at metro Hy-Vee stores, as well as online at www.honorflight.org.
Swieter says it's a trip the veterans will never forget. She says, "It will be a lifetime memory for them."
Governor Chet Culver was also at the send-off, saying this is a unique opportunity for veterans to see the monument together.
A a crowd of a couple thousand gathered at the Des Moines International Airport to send the veterans off in style. Urbandale Hy-Vee Store Manager Brett Bremser says, "We had people here at 1:30 in the morning waiting to get into the parking lot."
Angela Swieter came with a sign to support her dad and uncle. She says, "We're here to honor them this morning and show them our support." Both men served in World War II and are on the Central Iowa Honor Flight.
Swieter says, "I think they were just looking forward to the opportunity to be with other veterans."
The plane is taking 350 Iowa veterans to the nation's capital. They'll see the monument honoring them for their service. The flight is free, thanks to a $250,000 donation from Hy-Vee. Bresmer says, "It's a really significant event for these veterans and we want to show our appreciation for what they've done."
This is the first Central Iowa Honor Flight, but organizers say they hope it won't be the last. Bresmer says, "There's an opportunity, five more flights to get all the veterans out of Iowa, and we're hoping with this and the awareness, people will contribute and there will be more flights after this." People can contribute at metro Hy-Vee stores, as well as online at www.honorflight.org.
Swieter says it's a trip the veterans will never forget. She says, "It will be a lifetime memory for them."
Governor Chet Culver was also at the send-off, saying this is a unique opportunity for veterans to see the monument together.
