A group of quiet heroes, who performed on a field of battle with stakes much higher than football, went inside for a dinner in their honor. It was the official kick-off event for the second Heartland Honor Flight.
JOE DUGGAN / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, July 7, 2008 7:00 pm
United States flags lined the walkway outside Memorial Stadium Monday when three tour buses pulled up.
Escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, the passengers emerged wearing red, some using canes, some sitting in wheel chairs, all with smiles.
These quiet heroes, who performed on a field of battle with stakes much higher than football, went inside for a dinner in their honor. It was the official kick-off event for the second Heartland Honor Flight.
“I think it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever heard of,” said Wendell Ringland, 87, of Bennet, who served with the U.S. Merchant Marine during the war. “I think it’s great the veterans get to go.”
A total of 120 Nebraska veterans will fly on a private charter to Washington, D.C., Tuesday to see the National World War II Memorial. They also will visit the Marine Corps War Memorial and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns before returning to Lincoln.
The estimated $83,000 in ground and air transportation costs will be paid for by private donations raised by the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lincoln and organizers Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha.
The first flight sent 102 veterans to the nation’s capital. At least 800 more World War II veterans remain on the waiting list, Bill Williams said Monday.
The dinner at the West Stadium Club offered a chance for the state of Nebraska to show appreciation, said Gov. Dave Heinemann, who studied the battles of World War II while attending West Point Military Academy.
“What you did was absolutely incredible and what it meant to our country, and really, the world,” he said.
Mayor Chris Beutler told the veterans he felt humbled to be in their presence. He urged Americans who followed the World War II veterans to learn about and remember the sacrifices made by the greatest generation.
“Look around the room tonight,” he said, “you’re sitting among heroes.”
The Honor Flight Network began in Ohio as a way to get aging World War II veterans to see the memorial built in their honor. The $174 million memorial to the 16 million Americans who served in the war was completed in 2004.
What began as a modest effort to send one flight from Nebraska has gained momentum. John Liebsack, adjutant quartermaster for the Nebraska VFW, said Monday that $620,000 has been donated. Organizers are already planning a third flight for September and believe they have enough for four more flights.
Bill Williams, a sales representative for a school design firm, said time is a greater challenge than money. In recent days, several veterans who were scheduled to go on Tuesday’s flight had to cancel because of health problems. At least one of the veterans on the flight list died before the trip.
On Monday, the veterans who gathered at Memorial Stadium weren’t thinking in the least about health problems. They were just excited to be going to Washington.
“I can’t wait,” said Ivan Dunse, 84, of Ohiowa, who served in the Army Air Corps.
Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.