I knew I was in trouble when they hung a single dog tag around my neck. If you’re not a veteran, you might have no idea what that means; don’t worry about it.

The anticipation had been growing inside me for several weeks. I had seen my father and an uncle go on Honor Flights many years ago and was so excited when I was told I’d be going on one myself. I was asked to write a few articles introducing the other vets from Hamilton County who would be going; Don Williams and Bruce Ratcliff are both Webster City residents and, as Bruce and I arrived at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport early Wednesday morning (early meaning about 5 a.m.), Don was already there and greeted us. We three would all make new acquaintances on the trip.

The airport quickly filled with around 120 veterans wearing red shirts and hats. There were also the Brushy Creek staff in white, support (medical) staff in blue and companions for those who needed them in gray. I was impressed by the size of our contingent, all prepped and ready to go to see the military monuments in Washington, D.C. We knew it was a whirlwind schedule, leaving at 6 a.m. and returning at 9:30 p.m. the same day. Between those times were the flight, transportation and visits to several locations. These would include the Air Force Memorial, a changing of the guard ceremony and wreath dedication (by our Webster City’s own Russ Naden) at Arlington National Cemetery, a tour of the city, and more memorials like Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and the Marine Corps (Iwo Jima).

On the plane I got to know the two guys sitting in the same row. We’d be side by side for two hours each way … and we all know how small airliner seats are. Eli Grimm and Bruce Messner are both from West Bend, and live close to each other. Eli served in the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and Bruce was a soldier in Vietnam in the early 1970s. We would share tidbits of our own stories through the trip. I want to give a shout out to them both for sacrifices they made for our country. I promised to send them each a copy of this article; a pact of steel between new friends!

-Photo by Michael Eckers, for The Messenger
This wreath placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight. This is the first time in the group's history that it has placed a wreath there.

My own expectation did not include walking along a row of nearly 100 people waving flags, singing “America” and lined up to shake hands, smile and greet us with a heartfelt thank you and welcome to Washington. This was over the top; so many of them said it was a small way to make up for the homecoming most of us experienced back in the early ’70s when we came home. Many had served in Vietnam and the rest had been scattered abroad, but still felt the stress of America as it seemed to rip apart at the seams over the war. Here we were, getting handshakes, high fives and fist bumps instead of spit, dog pee … or worse. Yeah, it was no joke; it really was that bad for some. I had a young lad, maybe 7 years old, ask me if I knew his grandpa in Vietnam … I could only whisper out “I’m not sure, what was his name?”

Bunches of us toured the memorials, deep in our own thoughts. For me, the World War II Memorial was a favorite. My own dad served in the 8th Air Force as a bombardier; he was shot down, captured and spent nine months as a prisoner of war in Germany. When he went on an Honor Flight, the memorial was not opened yet. I had the chance to visit it for him (and, I felt, with him). I knew his stories and the pride he felt in having served. He used to tell me the hardest thing was “being 21 years old and going to prison for what was right.” I spent several minutes at the bronze relief plaque depicting a B-17 crew returning from a mission and knew he was there with me. That was the point my emotions swept me up and I regretted not getting those Botox injections in my tear ducts.

I also met a family from Des Moines at the WWII memorial; they were vacationing with two children and wondered who all of us were. When I told them we were all veterans from Iowa, they said they had to greet each of us and thank us; I watched as they started to do just that. I needed to sit down.

On the flight home, we had “Mail Call” where the staff gave us each a packet of letters from our own families and friends, taking us all by complete surprise. I’d like to share a paragraph my youngest son wrote; he is currently a Navy officer on active duty.

“You taught me that each person who serves, no matter how big or small, how heroic or mundane, ALL deserve the respect and honor of our Country. In a time divided in our Nation, I am truly proud and grateful at how consistent our Country has been at supporting and showering our current Service Members with love and admiration. I think maybe, that will be the longest lasting legacy from you and your brothers in Vietnam. We learned that EVERY Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine (Guardian?) deserves to come home to cheers and hugs. Your cohort was kicked down and spat upon. A symptom of the larger societal unrest, exceedingly misplaced. Every Service Member who has had a Vet thank them for their service, had a welcome home sign at the airport, a free meal at Applebee’s, a kind thank-you card scribbled by a Kindergartener, a shout out at a sporting event, or any form of thanks or love shown to them owes a large part of it to your generation and their pain and sacrifice upon homecoming. That pain leaves a mark, undoubtedly. A grudge or disenfranchisement. I hope that this flight and experience helps heal those wounds, even 50 years later. After all, you also taught me the power of love.”

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
Donald Fuchs, left, Arnold Norgart get ready for the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight on Wednesday.

Folks, really … this is the strength of our nation. Teaching truth from history to the next generation and letting them run with it. Those who spout and teach lies only cause division and questioning. Truths were shared on our trip in Washington, D.C., and strong ties among comrades is the result.

Our return to Fort Dodge was amazing. As we each left the aircraft, we were introduced to a cheering crowd of more than 200, all waving flags. The handshakes, pats on the back and cheerful faces of folks we know and share life with was the final dose of medicine to heal the hurts of so long ago.

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
Greg Welsher, right, Army/Marine Corps veteran, and his son, David Welsher, prepare to take the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip on Wednesday.

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
Army veterans and brothers Steve Powell, left, and TJ Powell, of Menlo, stand with Army veteran Dwight Hawley before the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight on Wednesday.

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
Pictured from left, Army veterans T.J. Powell, Dwight Hawley and Steve Powell on board the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight this week.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
Members of the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight wave aboard the bus on Wednesday.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
A guard stands watch during the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ceremony Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
Pictured from left, Melissa Miller, Jolene Schmidt and Casee Ross display the flags of veterans who died before they could go on the Honor Flight in Washington, D.C.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
Larry Meints (sitting) and Dave Meints pose in front of the The United States Marine Corps War Memorial during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. The memorial depicts Marines raising the U.S. flag during the February 1945 battle for Iwo Jima.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
Pictured from left, members of the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Chuck Ehlers, Will Bruhn, Clark Tibben, Mary Brunner, James Nelson and Gaylin Huey get together during the trip to Washington D.C.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is shown here during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip in Washington, D.C.

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
Veterans Harvey Swartz and Edgar Higgins sit together by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip on Wednesday.

Tom Nilles of Fort Dodge and his grandson, also a veteran, pose in front of the Washington Monument during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip on Wednesday.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
The Marine Corps War Memorial is displayed during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip on Wednesday. The memorial depicts Marines raising the U.S. flag during the February 1945 battle for Iwo Jima.

-Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
The Marine Corps War Memorial is displayed during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip on Wednesday. The memorial depicts Marines raising the U.S. flag during the February 1945 battle for Iwo Jima.

Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
Wendell Pugh, sitting, and Mike Harvey stop for a picture during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Messenger photo by Dana Lantz
Gary Harris stands in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

-Photo by Brooke Bickford, for The Messenger
John Hall and Thomas Hawks, of the Marshalltown area, pose at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight this week in Washington, D.C.