Former Kenyon resident Greseth experiences Honor Flight

The Honor Flight program provides free flights to honor United States military veterans for their service and sacrifice to visit war memorials in Washington D.C.

When Ben and Phyllis Greseth lived in Kenyon five years ago, Ben applied for an Honor Flight that would leave from LaCrosse, WI, but was told they were only flying World War II veterans, but to check back later.

A few years later, he got his name on a waiting list. It was another three years before he received a phone call from the organization to honor his request, but instead of flying from La Crosse, arrangements were made for Ben to fly from Lakeland, Florida, not too far from where they live now.

During an orientation session before the trip, all those traveling received a shirt, jacket, and cap of the same color and were instructed to wear them the day of the flight. Keeping track of the veterans while in D.C. would be easier if everyone wore the same color clothing.

On April 30, Ben Greseth, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was on an Honor Flight with 86 other veterans and 86 guardians that left Lakeland, Florida, at 4 a.m. and landed in Baltimore, MD, with a water salute from the fire department.

The group loaded buses for the trip to Washington, where they saw the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. The congressman from their area in Florida also greeted them.

Even though Ben golfs three days a week, he was glad he could have his guardian push him in a wheelchair as there was more walking than he could have handled.

The group arrived back in Lakeland on the same day at 8 p.m. to a well-deserved heroes welcome. The fire trucks gave a water salute, and a cheering crowd of approximately 1,000 people and a band serenaded them. With a reception of that magnitude, many of the veterans became emotional.

Ben said, “It was a wonderful experience. They took good care of us by having food buffets before we left and when we returned. They just went out of their way to help us.”