The Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota continues its mission of honoring America’s veterans by providing cost-free trips to Washington, D.C., allowing them to visit the memorials built in their honor.
The nonprofit serves eligible veterans from eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, including Becker and Otter Tail counties. Two Honor Flights are planned for this fall. Veterans are added to a waiting list, with older applicants given priority. Since the program began, more than 2,800 veterans have taken part, and many more are still waiting for their chance to go.
For veterans who passed away before they were able to make the journey, the organization also offers the Flags of Our Heroes initiative. Families can submit a photo and service information, and an American flag and the veteran’s photo are placed at the appropriate memorial in Washington, D.C. A commemorative photo is then returned to the family.
Richwood, Minnesota veteran Mike Nodsle took part in an Honor Flight last September and says the experience was life-changing. Nodsle recalls that returning home from Vietnam decades ago was difficult, saying he was met with protests instead of appreciation. That experience stood in sharp contrast to the reception he received in Washington.
“When we landed in D.C., people lined up to shake our hands,” Nodsle said. “We were treated like kings.” He described visiting multiple memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and shared the powerful moment known as Mail Call on the final night. Veterans received bags filled with letters from family and friends thanking them
for their service. “There were more than 200 veterans in the room,” he said, “and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.”
Nodsle says he is deeply grateful to the volunteers who made the trip possible and encourages eligible veterans to apply.
More information, applications, and donation details are available at veteranshonorflightofndmn.org (Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota/Minnesota website)
Story By Karen Downing
Photo By Dave Bishop