The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Committee is looking for veterans who have served in the armed forces between Dec. 7, 1941, and April 30, 1975.

Any veteran who was discharged under honorable conditions and who has served within these dates is eligible to participate in the next Honor Flight May 10, 2023, or later in the fall.

Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight just completed its 22nd flight on Aug. 27, 2022.

The Honor Flight will depart from the Fort Dodge Regional Airport and arrive in Washington, D.C., for the day. While in D.C., the veterans will visit memorials that honor each service branch, the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), Navy Memorial, Air Force Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. They will also visit the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and the Nurses’ Memorial. Veterans will take a bus tour of the National Mall, the Capitol, Jefferson Memorial, Ford’s Theater, White House and the Pentagon. The 10-hour visit to Washington, D.C., will include travel time to and from Dulles International Airport.

Medical assistance will be available for anyone needing help. There will be a medical team on the Honor Flight that includes a medical doctor and three to four nurses or paramedics.

Meals, snacks and water will be provided throughout the day.

We know that some veterans feel they do not deserve to participate in the Honor Flight; they may not have been in combat or did not leave the States. The Honor Flight Committee feels all veterans dedicated years of their lives to serve, and they are entitled to go. The committee knows that for most veterans it was not easy to leave home, the years ahead were uncertain and for many it was difficult. The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Committee wants to honor and thank you veterans. The cost of the trip is free, you have earned it. Many veterans have told us it was one of their best days they ever experienced. Many have expressed they now have closure from their military years.

The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Committee has recently voted to accept applications from certain Reservists and National Guard members. To be eligible as a veteran, the Reservist or Guardsman must have initially enlisted prior to April 30, 1975, and retired from the Reserves or Guard with 20 or more years of service.

Applications for the Honor Flight can be found at your county VA office, at the Walker Law Office at 515-576-0617 (ask for Marylou) and online at www.webstercountyia.gov. (under Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight applications).

Or you can contact one of these board members:

• Ron Newsum (Webster County) 515-571-4477

• Mel Schroeder (Webster County) 515-408-6940

• Orene Cressler (Pocahonats County) 712-335-3270

• Lee Bailey (Pocahontas County) 712-358-4420

• Peg Dettmann (Sac County) 712-660-1006

• Craig Malloy (Humboldt County) 515-368-1097

• Russ Naden (Hamilton County) 515-297-1048

• Julie Reed (Wright County) 515-851-0121

• Marlene Welander (Calhoun County) 712-450-4030

Ron Newsum is the president of the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Committee.