Nearly Ninety Veterans Travel on Eastern Iowa Honor Flight

The 49th Eastern Iowa Honor Flight took nearly ninety veterans to Washington D.C. on Tuesday. 

The Honor Flight provides veterans with a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to visit the monuments and memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice. The one-day trip included visits to the WWII, Korean and Vietnam memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath dedication. 

Veterans from the area who were on Tuesday’s Eastern Iowa Honor Flight included Harold Blatt and Carl Gaulke of Manchester, Randall Brooks of Greeley, Al Otting of Earlville, Aulden Adams of Strawberry Point, Thomas Doyle of Hazleton, as well as Terence Crowley, Glen King and Wilfred Kramer, Jr. of Monticello and Michael Dooley and David Osterkamp of Anamosa. The majority of the veterans on Tuesday’s flight were from the Vietnam War era, with vets also from Korea, Lebanon/Grenada, Panama, Gulf War/War on Terrorism and several other conflicts.

The 49th flight was specifically dedicated to the VA hospital and the services they provide.

Family, friends and supporters welcomed the veterans back home on Tuesday night during a “Welcome Home” celebration at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.

photos courtesy of Eastern Iowa Honor Flight/FB