American Legion Post 33 hosts charity event for Midwest Honor Flight

STURGIS, S.D. — It’s been nearly two years since Midwest Honor Flight has gotten to do its mission.

A mission that brings World War II, Korean & Vietnam War-era veterans to remember those they served with and those that fell in the line of duty while also visiting the memorials of the wars they fought.

“They haven’t been able to see some of their brothers or to see their memorials and pay their respects for those that they did lose in war and it’s a way for us to pay it forward,” said John Mare, a veteran and Member of American Legion Post 33.

On Saturday, Post 33 held a charity event at the Sturgis Veterans Club to raise money to send as many as 10 vets to Washington.

The event featured a band, silent auction and spaghetti dinner.

“For Midwest Honor Flight, it cost $760 per individual to send and we have already raised enough to send four,” said Craig Sanderson, the Commander of American Legion Post 33.

Now, 84 veterans are heading out on September 18 to visit their memorials while another 123 are visiting on October 9, all of whom must have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

But for those vets who’ve been waiting, following many postponements due to the pandemic, they’re ready for the chance of a lifetime.

“I know that our board is ecstatic about it. I know that the veterans that have constantly been told ‘yep, not quite yet, ‘yep, not quite yet’ that they’re ecstatic to go,” said Aaron Van Beek, the President and Director of Midwest Honor Flight. “Their guardians, in fact, we just finished our last guardian training today out here in Rapid City, we’re excited to go and then to be able to help their veterans on this flight and and experience the the day with them.”

If you’d like to donate to Midwest Honor Flight, click here.