Calderon, a U.S. Army veteran from Eagle Grove, was proudly wearing it Wednesday night at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

He and more than 150 veterans gathered there to receive their itinerary and enjoy a meal prior to the May 12 Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.

Veterans from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War will spend the entire day in Washington, D.C., to visit their war memorials.

The uniform Calderon was wearing was the first one he was ever issued in 1967, he said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Ken Tilton, a U.S. Army veteran, left, and his wife Lorraine Tilton, of St. Ansgar, share a life during the 16th Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Wednesday night at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

“My pants are a 34 now,” he said. “They were a 38, but I can get them on anyways.”

He was part of the 31st Combat Engineer Battalion in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969.

Calderon made a pact with two other veterans who served with him to continue to wear their uniforms to honor all those who served.

“We want to honor everyone, dating back to the Civil War,” he said.

The last time he saw his friends was in Oakland, California, when they returned home.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Salvador Calderon Jr.’s military hat is displayed here.

“I’ve tried to get in touch with the other two fellas,” he said. “But to no avail.”

He added, “I don’t know if they are alive or dead.”

Calderon considers himself fortunate.

“I seen some friends get killed and I was lucky I wasn’t one of them,” he said.

Prior to going into battle, his father offered him some advice.

“My father is the one who told me not to make too many friends because you might be drinking with them one day and the next they might be gone or you might be gone,” he said.

Calderon’s father would know.

He served during World War II along with his three brothers, Calderon said.

Patrick Killeen, a U.S. Army veteran from Westside in Crawford County, was also in attendance.

Killeen, who served during the Vietnam War, said he’s looking forward to seeing the war memorials.

The trip will give him a chance to catch up with family.

“I am going to meet my son out there, too,” Killeen said. “I haven’t seen him in four years.”

Kenneth Kerber, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Emmetsburg, said he’s never been to Washington, D.C. before.

“I thought this would be a good time to do it,” he said.

Rex Utech, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Williams, was busy visiting with James Graham, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Webster City.

Both served in Vietnam.

Utech carried a rifle and ammunition during the war.

“I was scared to death most of the time,” he said. “We were told we couldn’t defend ourselves unless we were told from a higher up.”

He added, “We were in constant fear of not being able to defend ourselves.”

Graham served as a crew chief for a C-141.

“We were stationed out of New Jersey,” he said. “We brought supplies over, but unfortunately, we also brought the dead and wounded back.”

He said Vietnam veterans share something in common.

“I think for every one of us, it was tough,” he said. “If you were known as a Vietnam veteran, you weren’t liked very much.”

Graham is ready now, to be honored.

“I am just thrilled they have it and thrilled to be part of it,” he said.

Robert Cink, a U.S. Army veteran from Algona, wants to pay tribute to one of his family members on the trip.

Cink served during the Vietnam War.

“I had an uncle killed in the Second World War,” he said. “I would like to see his name.”

Ken Tilton, a U.S. Army veteran from St. Ansgar, was sitting with his wife, Lorraine Tilton.

Ken Tilton served during the Vietnam War.

“They called him Smoke over there,” Lorraine Tilton said.

“I don’t remember,” Ken Tilton said. “But they called me the chief of smoke.”

Lorraine Tilton said she’s pleased to see her husband be part of the flight.

“I am happy for him,” she said. “I think it’s long overdue.”