Antelope County Veterans Return From Honor Flight

Red, white, and blue covered the thousands gathered Monday night as families welcomed back the 2017 Vietnam Honor Flight to the Lincoln Airport.

The crowed welcomed back approximately 650 Vietnam Veterans from more than 170 communities across the state of Nebraska. The veterans were arriving home after spending the day visiting memorials in Washington, D.C.

The Vietnam Veterans Flight, put on by Patriotic Productions, is held every year as part of the Honor Flight Network, a nationwide non-profit dedicated to "providing veterans with honor and closure."

However, this year's honor flight was special.

The 2017 Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Flight was the largest group of Vietnam veterans from a single state to visit the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C.

Leroy Carlson of Orchard was one of those veterans that had the opportunity to be a part of this trip.

"It's an honor to be a part of this trip, this experience."

Kristie Arnold, an Orchard graduate and daughter of Leroy Carlson of Orchard, said that the fact that her father was given this opportunity was incredible.

"I'm very proud, My dad is a quiet man. He keeps to himself, so for him to be able to have this experience is amazing."

When asked if Arnold had shown any sort of interest into going and seeing the wall prior to this opportunity, she said that he hadn't alluded to the idea of going at all. 

"This opportunity came up, and he filled out the paperwork. There wasn't any prior interest that I know of."

Arnold also exclaimed how proud she was of her father being a veteran.

"I'm amazingly proud. I love it!"

The Honor Flight flies veterans from across the nation to Washington, D.C. every year to spend the day visiting the memorials to those who have gone before us. The day includes visiting the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Korea Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, the World War II Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Callie, Arnold's daughter, said it was great for her grandpa to have this experience.

"It's really cool because he did a lot of stuff to help us out and it's just a really cool opportunity for him to go to (Washington) D.C."

Vince Sauser of Neligh also participated in the 2017 Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Flight.

While the veterans were in Washington D.C., their spouses and families were treated to a day at the Omaha Henry-Doorly Zoo, a luncheon hosted by First Lady Suzanne Shore, and wine-tasting and a pizza dinner at Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery. 

The Honor Flights have taken place every years since the start of the program in May of 2005. The Nebraska Vietnam Veteran Flight has taken place the past two years. The total cost for the trip was upwards of $600,000. The cost was covered by corporate sponsors of the programs and donations from the public.