Free trip featured first-class experience to Washington, DC

Editor’s note: Two Henning area residents also attended the Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Their experience will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Citizen’s Advocate.

Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN recently went on one of the five flights scheduled for 2025. Battle Lake was represented, honoring three veterans with a trip of a lifetime: Curt Mecklenburg, Clair Prody, and John Peterson.  For three days, they joined fellow servicemen to see the Washington, D.C., monuments that were built in their honor.  

The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, D.C. to see veterans’ memorials at no cost.  Veterans who have served before May 7, 1975, qualify.  Top priority is given to World War II and terminally ill veterans of eligible ERAs. They also include Korean and Vietnam War veterans. Veterans are flown on a “First to Apply, First to Fly” policy.

Last summer, Dean Nordstrom hosted a fundraising golf tournament at Balmoral Golf Course to help military people, like these three, go on this trip.  We plan to do the same next August 10th, so others can go as well.  As local supporters, we reached out to the three men to learn a little more about their military backgrounds and trip experiences.

Curt Mecklenburg was blown away by the welcome home reception with hundreds of supporters, family, and even a military band, welcoming them home at the Fargo Dome.  It was heartwarming and something he didn’t expect.  

“It was a tremendous privilege to go on this trip, and I encourage military people to sign up sooner rather than later.  The trip was unbelievable,” said Mecklenburg. 

Mecklenburg volunteered and served in the Air Force for three years.  His rank was A/2C, and he played the role of an air traffic controller.  He was based in San Antonio, Texas, Biloxi, Miss. and later McCord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash. He also trained as a tower operator at SeaTac Tower in Seattle and later deployed to Okinawa, Japan, where he continued air traffic controller work.      

Clair Prody grew up in Breckenridge, Minn., when he enlisted in the U.S. Army.  Beginning his two-year military career, he went to basic training at Fort. Lewis, Wash. and later attended advanced training at Fort Ord in California.  He was a keypunch operator and later promoted to Department Supervisor, ending his career at Edgewood Arsenal in Edgewood, Md.  

Prody said the trip was filled with highlights, one being Fort McHenry, which was a battle between the U.S. and the British in 1814.  

“It is a wonderful trip, which included time to visit with other veterans, in addition to the sites we toured,” said Prody. “The volunteers did a great job, and I am very appreciative of their commitment to the program. I would highly recommend the trip to all veterans. Some have been volunteering their time for 25 years.  The Honor Flight trip was memorable and reflective.”

John Peterson was drafted into the Army while growing up in Clarion, Iowa. His two-year career started with basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. After basic training, having already graduated from college with a social work major, he was assigned to an Experimental Psychology Research Lab in Fort Knox, Kent. During that time, he assisted in experiments related to Psychology and Ergonomics. 

“One highlight of my Honor Flight trip was learning the true origin of our National Anthem. I came away from my trip with greater military self-esteem! I would encourage every veteran to take a life-changing Honor Flight as soon as they can,” said Peterson.  

The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN is a 100 percent volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In 2025, five flights were planned for veterans from eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. Anyone who is interested in applying for a trip should visit www.veteranshonorflightofndmn.org. Applications are online.  

Those who need computer help or have questions should contact Kim Peterson at (701) 261-7307.