Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN

Tank McNamara visited with Curt and his son Kyle who is currently serving at the National Museum of the United States Army.  

Curtis F. “Curt” Knutson
US Army / North Dakota National Guard
E-5 / E-8

I grew up in Alby, Minnesota, and am proud to now call the Fargo, North Dakota area home. I joined the Army and served from 1969 through 1971. I was stationed with B-5 46th Engineers, but also spent a year in...

Tank McNamara had a chance to visit with Roger Lomstrom at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on day 2 of the Honor Flight. 

Roger F. Lomstrom
US Army
SP5

I grew up in Zim, Minnesota. I now call Henning home. I was drafted by the Army and served from 1965 through 1967 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and specialized training at Camp Zama, Japan. I was a medic, taking care of the wound...

Tank McNamara had a chance to visit with Larry Steckler and his son Scott, who is a military veteran as well at the World War II Memorial on day 2 of the Veterans Honor Flight.  

Hilary L. “Larry” Steckler
US Navy
MM3

I grew up in Valley City, North Dakota and am proud to still call the area home. I volunteered for the Navy and served from November 1963 through November 1967. After completing basic train...

Tank McNamara had the opportunity to visit with Richard A. Deschene at the World War II Memorial on day 2 of the Veterans Honor Flight. 

Richard A. Deschene
US Army
CPL

Argyle, Minnesota is where I come from and where I’m proud to still call home. I was drafted by the Army and began my service in January 1952. After graduating from basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, I spent time with the 65th AMD in Ko...

Tank McNamara had the honor to walk with Terry along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on day 2 of the Veterans Honors Flight.  The two sat down after the walk just outside the Lincoln Memorial.  

Terrance L. “Terry” Teiken
US Army
E-5

I was born and raised in Ogema, Minnesota and happily call the Detroit Lakes area home today. I was drafted by the Army and in November 1970, I was off for basic training...

Tank McNamara and Jerry, two familiar faces, walked through the National Archives Research Center together, reflecting on Jerry’s military service and discussing the Veterans Honor Flight

Gerald O. “Jerry” Anderson
US Marine Corps
CPL

I grew up in Farwell, Minnesota, and now call Dilworth home. I joined the Marines and served from October 1968 through May 1970. After graduating from basic training in ...

It takes an incredible team to make an Honor Flight possible, and this trip was no exception. From bus captains and medical staff to respiratory therapists, wheelchair assistants, and stair helpers, every volunteer played a vital role in creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our veterans. Among them was Dr. Andrew Stasko—a veteran himself—who served on the medical team. Near the end of the trip, Tank McNamara sat...

Joel Heitkamp is on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C., and sits down with Don Heit to talk about his service and the trip. 

Don is from Grand Forks, ND and joined the Army in 1968 and served through 1970. He completed basic training in Fort Lewis, WA and was part of the 4th Inf. Div. while working his way to platoon sergeant. He spent a year in Vietnam and earned both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with V Device.&n...

Ryan Janke from KFGO News gets the opportunity to talk with Steve Hammond while on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C. 

He joined the Navy and began his service in 1968. After basic training, he was assigned to VAW-111 at North Island, California where he worked as an aviation electronics technician on E1-B aircraft. His time in the Navy concluded in 1973. 

After the military, he was a law enforcement officer fo...

During a little down time on the shuttle bus, KFGO's Robbie Daniels had a chance to catch up with Bobby:

Robert A. “Bobby” Johnson
US Marine Corps
CPL

I was born and raised in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota – the only place I’d ever like to live! I joined the Marines and served from 1959 through 1962. When I was finished with basic training at Camp Pendelton, California, I was assigned as a field radio opera...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels & Her Husband, who was a volunteer, shared some great conversations with Leon. If you're wondering why he sounds so horse, Leon spent hours chatting with is fellow Veterans! Here's Robbie's conversation with Leon:

Leon D. Schultz
US Army
PFC

Leaf Valley, Minnesota is were I was raised and now I live just a stone’s throw down the road in Garfield. I volunteered for service to the Federal Reserve...

Ryan Janke from KFGO News sits down with Rob Power while on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C.

Rob is originally from Hunter, ND, and now calls West Fargo home. He joined the Marines in February 1974 and stayed until February 1976. After his basic training in San Diego, CA, he spent time in the 3rd Marines, 9th Division in the 10B platoon. He was located in Okinawa, Japan. 

After the Corps, he attended college at ND...

Dave shares his experience with KFGO's Robbie Daniels: 

David A. “Dave” Essler
US Army
E-4

Brooten, Minnesota is where I grew up. I now live in Alexandria. I volunteered for the Army and served from January 1967 through January 1969. I spent my basic training time at Fort Lewis, Washington and then was connected to the 2nd Armored Div. where I was part of the infantry. Our unit saw time at Fort Hood, Texas; M...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels spoke with Wayne about his time spent in Italy:

Wayne H. Sheilds
US Air Force
MSGT

I come from Grand Forks, North Dakota and call the Moorhead, Minnesota area home today. I served in the Air Force from 1972 through 1992. After graduating basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, I in USAF Missile Maintenance as a supervisor/technician and ground launch Cruise Missile supervisor at Grand Forks AFB, North Dak...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels, chats with Dennis. Dennis wants to Thank YOU! Listen why now:

Dennis L. Cassatt
US Air Force // SD National Guard
E4 // E5

I come from Rogers, North Dakota and now call Lisbon home. I enlisted in the Air Force and served on active duty from February 1955 through June 1959. I spent basic training at San Antonio, Texas and would later link up with the 91st Air Wing where I worked in fire control and radar...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels chats with Boyd, who has a great story about dancing: 

Boyd L. “Ope” Oppegaard
US Navy
E-4

Erskine, Minnesota is where I was born, raised, and continue to live. I was originally drafted but chose to enlist in the Navy. I served for three years from July 1971 through July 1974. After completing basic training in San Diego, California, I was stationed aboard the USS Haleakala (AE25)...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels, spoke with Bernie, next to the Vietnam Memorial Wall:

Bernard J. “Bernie” McKigney
US Army // ND National Guard
SP5 // 1SG

I grew up in Dougherty, Iowa and now call Moorhead, Minnesota home. I was drafted by the Army and served on active duty from July 1968 through May 1970. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, I became an infantryman with the 11th Inf. Bde. Amer...

While on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C., Joel Heitkamp sits down with Einer "Phil" Wold. 

Phil is from Grace City, ND and now calls Calvin his home. He served in the Marine Corps on active duty from 1966 through 1969. He served as a Motor Vehicle Operator in Chu Lai, Vietnam, and later was stationed at El Toro Air Base in California.

After discharging from the Marines, he drove truck for the rest of his working ...