Honor Flight trip for Korean War veterans returns to Fort Wayne

For example, sitting next to the Korean Memorial my grandpa recounted to me how the tank in front of him drove over a land mine, almost resulting in tragedy.

Referred to as the “Typhoon of Steel”, the 193rd Tank Battalion member said many of his past memories, such as the Battle of Okinawa, are clearer now than ever. “On the other hand, honoring our Vietnam veterans is way overdue, and we are delighted to have so many of these Vietnam-era men and women flying with us on our next Honor Flight”.

Meanwhile, Larry and Arlene Blanck, of Warminster, attended to show support for their neighbor, Bronze Star recipient and World War II Army veteran Philip Klein. Only 855,000 of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II are still with us.

About six months ago, one of Schut’s last remaining comrades, a close friend who served in the Battle of the Bulge, passed away. Priority is given to WWII and terminally ill veterans from all wars, but the group hopes to create flights for Vietnam veterans in the future, according to its online application form. The roster includes five veterans from Lincoln County.

In recognition of Veteran’s Day on November. 11, U.S. Bank is partnering with Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization, to help send veterans to Washington, D.C.to visit war memorials. “That bothered me for 10 years”, Wingrove said. “They also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where they watched the changing of the guard”.

Almost 100 veterans took off from KCI for the trip of a lifetime Tuesday morning.

Several veterans appreciate this kind of opportunity because they have someone to talk with who understands what it’s like to be a veteran.

“It seems common sense that there would be a World War II veterans’ memorial here”, Holmes said. “This is one thing we didn’t get when we came home”, said Saverda. It will encompass three fall Honor Flights as well as numerous fundraising activities and educational components.