HARWOOD, ND (Valley News Live) – Just two months ago, local veterans packed up and headed to Washington, D.C. for the trip of a lifetime as part of the Minnesota/North Dakota Honor Flight. Today, August 9, those same veterans were able to reunite and bond at the post-flight reunion.
Veterans from Vietnam, Korea and even World War II visited museums and memorials in our nation’s capital in May and experienced it all. Mark Erickson, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and North Dakota Air National Guard, said, “The trip was so beautiful. I really enjoyed it and still talk about it to this day.”
When asked what he enjoyed most about the trip, Mark replied, “Um… I really can’t,” because in his opinion there were just too many great moments to choose from.
“People ask me all the time, ‘What is it about?’ and I tell them, if you go, I won’t tell you because I don’t want to give it away. You just have to experience it!” he exclaimed.
He said he gained lasting memories and friendships from the trip and that in some ways he felt like he had found a new family. “It didn’t matter what branch of the military you came from, we are all brothers and sisters now.”
The reunion was held at the Harwood Community Center and gave Mark and all the other Honor Flight participants the opportunity to see all their new friends again and relive their DC experience.
Speaking on behalf of his new friends, Erickson explained, “After we came back, we all decided we wanted to go again!”
The same can be said for the Honor Flight organizers and volunteers. The veterans who accompanied them during the flight soon became a special part of their lives.
Flight attendant Karen Haugen said: “I believe with all my heart that they all deserve this. My uncle was a prisoner of war in Germany and it is just wonderful to be able to do this for them after everything they all did for us.”
The next Honor Flight will take place on September 22nd. A team from Valley News Live will be in DC covering the trip.
Click here for more information about the Veteran Honor Flights.
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