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  Press Release:         December 30, 2009

Contact:         Jane Wildung Lanphere                 888 283-4061

Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota is a committee affiliated with the non-profit organization Honor Flight South Dakota.  The purpose of the committee is to raise funds to provide an all expense paid trip for World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to tour the National World War II Memorial.

The National WWII Memorial in Washington, DC, was completed and dedicated in 2004.  Since the dedication, the Honor Flight concept was launched to recognize the service and sacrifice of American Veterans with a visit to the national memorials at NO COST to the veteran.  Most WWII veterans are now in their 80’s and do not have the where-with-all to travel on their own.  Honor Flight Guardians travel along providing assistance and help veterans have a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience.

Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota was organized as a committee in November 2009 to honor WWII veterans throughout southwest Minnesota.  There are many WWII veterans in the southwest four counties of Minnesota, according to the VA statistics.  It is our intention to honor as many of these selfless “ordinary people who saved the world” as we can by providing them this once in a lifetime opportunity.

As you can imagine, there are many details in a project like this, help is needed from many volunteers and organizations, and fundraising is also key to the success of this project.  Donations may be mailed to:  

                   Honor Flight – Southwest Minnesota, 213 East Luverne Street, Luverne, MN   56156

Applications for WWII Veterans and Guardians can be downloaded from the website:  www.HonorFlightSD.org

Or available by phone/e-mail:  888 283-4061        luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us

Information & media kits available:  luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us

The group of volunteers organizing the Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota project is small and we are counting on individuals and groups like you and yours to take this project to heart and hold a fundraising event.  Our Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota Board and volunteers are available to help you with your project or speak to your organization.

Email us at:  luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us and let us know how we can help.  Please help spread the word about this project and encourage veterans to apply for the trip.

HONOR FLIGHT – SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA EXECUTIVE BOARD CONTACTS:

Murray County:                   Jim Reinert, A. Gary Stoner, Chuck Benda

Nobles County:                   Joni Harms, Mike Kuhle, Darlene Macklin

Pipestone County:     Cristy Appel, Bob Douty, Gene Spicer, Earl Sheppard

Rock County:            Glen Gust, Terrie Gulden, Larry Lanphere

HONOR FLIGHT HISTORY

The Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse of Springfield, Ohio, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, to honor veterans.

In May of 2004, the WWII Memorial was finally completed and dedicated in Washington, DC, which quickly became the topic of discussion among his WWII veteran patients.  Earl repeatedly asked these veterans if they would ever travel out to visit THEIR memorial.  Most felt that eventually, somehow, they would make it to DC perhaps with a family member or friend.

Most of these senior heroes are in their 80’s and lacked the physical and mental wherewithal to complete a trip on their own.  Families and friends also lacked resources and time to complete a 3-4 day trip to DC.  Earl could tell that the majority of the veterans had given up all hope of ever visiting the memorial that was specifically created to honor their service.  That’s when he decided that there has to be a way to get these heroes to DC to see their memorial.  Earl is also a private pilot and member of one of our nation’s largest and best aero clubs located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.

In December of 2004, Earl asked one of his WWII veteran patients if he could personally fly him out to DC, free of charge, to visit his memorial.  He accepted the offer.  Honor Flight was born.

Other dedicated volunteers join, a board was formed, funds were raised and the first flight took to the air in May of 2005.  Six small places flew 12 very happy veterans out to Manassas, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC.  Vans then transported the pilots and veterans into DC and to the WWII Memorial.  The responses from both the veterans and the pilots were overwhelming.  It was an experience that will live with them for the rest of their lives.  Other Honor Flight “hubs” have been organized from around the country and it’s time to get planes in the air from Southwest Minnesota

Click below for Veterans and Guardian Applications:

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