By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Roger Lonnstrom got the welcome home he never received when he returned from Vietnam some 50 years ago as both he and Roger Heschke recently took part in the Honor Flight out of Fargo, N.D. Both local veterans spoke slowly and emphasized the overwhelming feeling they received when they landed back in Fargo after three days in Washington, D.C., along with several hundred veterans from the Red River Valley.  ¶  “When we got to the FargoDome they must have had half the town there,” said Lonnstrom. “If it wasn’t in the hundreds it was in the thousands (of people). When we got there they just walked up and shook our hands. It was stuff we never got when we got home (from Vietnam).”  ¶  For Lonnstrom it was the welcome home he never received after he served as a medic who was stationed at an EVAC hospital in Japan during the Vietnam War. At the time he returned home, frustration from the ongoing war in Vietnam led to countless protests and even violence against the veterans, many of whom were drafted into the military, when they returned home to the United States.  

¶  “The only thing I ever heard when I land at LAX was take that green uniform off when you land. We didn’t get a welcome home,” said Lonnstrom of his return from the Vietnam War.

A Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War, Heschke didn’t go to Vietnam, but spent a year stationed in Alaska. He took a 15 year break from service and joined once again in 1987 and served in both Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

The local veteran was encouraged to apply for the Honor Flight by a pair of members from the Deer Creek American Legion who recently went on the trip and told him about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

“I belong to the Deer Creek Legion and two of the guys (Bernel Cichy and Larry Sauer) told me about it. (The Legion) donated to the Honor Flight,” said Heschke, who was one of 204 veterans who were on the most recent Honor Flight.

Lonnstrom said his favorite thing on the trip, which was held from September 28-20, was seeing the Vietnam Wall, but he also highlighted how the veterans on the Honor Flight were oftentimes allowed to get into some of the bigger museums before the general public was admitted to see the exhibits before the crowds came through the gates. He also highlighted how all of the veterans were treated like first class guests everywhere they went. 

Heschke agreed that the museums and the way people bent over backwards to make the experience special for the veterans were among his highlights from the trip. When the group went to the Vietnam Memorial, Heschke said he gave the bus captain the name of an individual he knew from Bertha and wanted to find his name on the wall. 

“I knew a guy who was from Bertha. I gave (the bus captain) his name and he looked it up and gave me a folder with a lot of information about him,” said Heschke. “One of the volunteers had an app on their phone and if you knew the name you could find their name on the wall.”

During their time in Washington, D.C. the Honor Flight veterans visited the Roosevelt Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam and Korean Memorials, watched the changing of the guards and went to Arlington National Cemetery. They also had mail call during a banquet in Washington, D.C. where loved ones could write them a letter that was given to them on their trip, similar to a mail call that was done during their time in the war. 

Even with all of the first class accommodations and treatment on their trip, Heschke said one of his favorite memories from the three day experience was spending time with the guys, many of whom shared similar experiences and stories of their time in the military.

“It was high on the list was harassing these guys. If you have been through the military you have more or less been through the same rigmarole and some of these guys have been through some pretty rough times,” said Heschke. “Just listening to some of their stories and stuff (was a highlight).”

Both veterans said they encourage anyone who is eligible to go on the Honor Flight to apply to go on the trip. A total of 2,824 veterans from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War have went on the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN since its inception. 

Lonnstrom said he has heard when all of the veterans from Vietnam go on the trip it may be discontinued. 

“It’s a chance of a lifetime, really. I know this for a fact that once all the Vietnam guys go through this thing will cease to exist. For all of us that served during that time it’s a once in a lifetime thing to do,” said Lonnstrom, who went on to share his brother who served in the 151st in Vietnam is still on a waiting list to go on the Honor Flight. “They really, really went beyond what you expected.”

The Honor Flight is volunteer driven and is open to veterans from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. The Honor Flight from the Red River Valley will typically spend two nights in Washington, D.C. to allow for veterans to take time to experience the sights and sounds of the nations capitol Each trip is estimated to cost $1,650 which is privately fundraised so the trip for all of the veterans is free. 

Heschke said the oldest person on the most recent trip was 92-years-old and that person shared the experience with his grandson who helped him along the way. 

For more information about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN, contact (218) 28HONOR, visit www.veteranshonorflightofndmn.org or contact a local veteran organization like the American Legion or VFW.