SIOUX CENTER, IOWA — The nonprofit group Midwest Honor Flight takes veterans from South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials to their service.
For these World War II, Vietnam and Korean War veterans, their journey is fully free.
They’re constantly fundraising for every mission, which prices upwards of $150,000 every, however they’ve received some fairly patriotic help.
14-year-old Elsie Van Beek runs “Elsie Honors,” which raises cash for Midwest Honor Flight. This “Patriotic Princess” has a purpose of elevating $50,000, and he or she’s well-over midway there.
She sells baked items and works with Wreaths Across America, spending her weekends and summers at occasions across the Sioux Center space.
All of the cash goes in direction of Midwest Honor Flight’s missions, one thing her brother, MHF President and CEO Aaron Van Beek, says is heartwarming to see within the youthful era.
“Having a youth member that would simply go spend it on a online game or a Lego set or a bicycle or one thing, you realize, one thing that they’d need as a baby, however as an alternative turning it round as a result of grandpa was a veteran, grandpa went on flight or grandpa didn’t get the possibility go to, or grandma is happening a future Honor Flight and so they needed to lift cash for it,” Aaron Van Beek mentioned. “Just having the youth take part, I believe, speaks to the dad and mom as effectively and possibly even the college programs that they’ve instilled the values of what our freedoms imply. And [that] with out these freedoms, with out these veterans, we wouldn’t have what we’ve at this time.”
But it’s not simply elevating cash, Elsie additionally greets every veteran after their flight, almost 900 complete since she began. Elsie says all of the work is price it if you see their emotion after every mission.
“I really feel prefer it’s one thing that I ought to do as a result of it’s the least we are able to do,” Elsie mentioned. “They sacrificed their life for us, so I really feel like I must be doing all that I can for them.”
Both Elsie and Aaron received concerned with Honor Flight partially as a result of they arrive from a very military-oriented household.
“So I’ve a sister that’s serving proper now within the Army National Guard, after which a lot of my grandfathers and great-grandpas, like, served in wars,” Elsie mentioned.
Midwest Honor Flight has three journeys deliberate for this fall, and funding for these journeys is desperately wanted.
Click here to support Elsie Honors or right here to observe her on Facebook!
Want extra tales on Midwest Honor Flight? Check out the hyperlinks under!
The man behind the mission: Midwest Honor Flight’s Aaron Van Beek
One day in D.C.: A quick look at what the veterans of Midwest Honor Flight do on their special day
Volunteers and the fundamental role they play in Honor Flight missions
Honor Flight gives Vietnam vets the welcome home they deserve
Navy veterans reflect on service, brotherhood during Honor Flight
SEEING DOUBLE: Twin Vietnam veterans share their experience during Honor Flight
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