When the Sun Country Airlines plane rolled up to the jet way at St. Cloud Regional Airport Tuesday night, it marked the end of a long and emotional day for 160 U.S. military veterans and their trip guides that began around 4:30 a.m. They were travelers on the Honor Flight that had taken WW II and Korean War veterans to Washington D.C. for a tour of the monuments erected there in their honor was Douglas Goenner of Clear Lake, who had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Waiting to greet him in the terminal were his wife, Delrose, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Jean, and an enthusiastic group from the Clear Lake Lions Club with a sign they had crafted thanking all of the veterans for their service to the nation. Club members said they especially wanted to honor Goenner for his many years of membership and service to the organization. Goenner, 79, and his wife operate a family farm with their son and daughter-in-law in Clear Lake.
The veterans departed St. Cloud around 5 a.m. Tuesday, and returned to the airport just after 10 p.m. The weather in the Capitol was not the most cooperative, with heavy rain preventing many of the veterans from being able to walk around their respective memorials. Regardless, Goenner said that he very much enjoyed the trip, and the chance to reconnect with so many fellow military veterans.
Lions Club members who greeted the returning veterans included former Clear lake Mayor Bill Kiffmeyer, Alan Peterson, Joe Gruenes, Clint Schendzielos and Commissioner Felix Schmiesing.
The terminal entry was filled with proud family and friends, many also holding signs welcoming the honorees home. A long line of members of the Patriot Guard of Minnesota were also present, holding U.S. flags and forming a Path of Honor for the returning veterans to pass through and shaking each ones hand as they entered the terminal.
Honor Flights
The Honor Flight Network web site states there is real urgency in continuing the program, since the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs estimates that nearly 700 WW II veterans pass away every day. The flights are funded entirely through donations from individuals, groups and businesses, with no taxpayer dollars dedicated to the effort.
The first Honor Flight involved six small aircraft transporting 12 WW II veterans from Springfield, Ohio to the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C. More and more private pilots joined in the effort, and the program grew until it expanded to the point where commercial aircraft were needed. Southwest Airlines donated thousands of tickets to the program as the numbers continued to grow, and was named the official airline of the Honor Flight Network at that time.
Estimates state that more than 100,000 veterans have taken part in one of the flights since they began. The program began with WW II veterans and is currently expanding to include Korean and Viet Nam War veterans.
