Emotions flow as veterans take part in Eastern Iowa Honor Flight

CEDAR RAPIDS — A lively buzz of eager chatter and the sounds of the Cedar Valley Big Band filled the terminal at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids late Wednesday as a crowd of several hundred people awaited the arrival of a very special group of travelers.

People of all ages, some decked in red, white and blue, others in uniform, created a passageway lined with American flags, handmade signs and patriotic pride.

'This is the place to be ...' one person murmured to another.

Promptly at 10:20 p.m., the big band shifted from jazz and began playing a military march as 85 veterans entered the terminal following a memorable day in Washington, D.C., as part of the 28th Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

Applause and cheers rang out from the crowd, the faces of those being honored beamed with smiles — and some tears were shed — as they began to take in the impressive 'welcome home' gathering.

'Walking through there filled me with a lot of emotion and brought tears to my eyes just to see them get the welcome that they deserve,' said Patrick Buehner, who accompanied his father Jack Buehner, a Vietnam veteran, on the Honor Flight. 'It was a day full of emotions. It was nice to see him get the greeting that he deserved that he never got when he came home from the war.'

Since its start in 2009, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight has flown 2,394 veterans to Washington, D.C., where they visit memorials and other historic sites before returning home to a hero's welcome.

'It may have been long delayed but they are finally being recognized and thanked for what they did,' said George Rickey, a member of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight board of directors.

Wednesday's flight included 85 veterans, including nine from World War II and dozens who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

'It was a great flight and a great day,' said Orville Schrage, 82, of Vinton, a Korean War veteran. 'I saw things I'd never seen before and it showed me just how much people appreciated (our) service based on the crowds. It was a very emotional experience.'

While in D.C. on Wednesday, veterans visited the World War II, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery. They also took a bus tour of the city,

For Jack Buehner, 75, of Cedar Rapids, seeing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a highlight of the day.

'It's part of history. We'll never know who's there but he served and gave his life and I guess that's the whole thing,' he said. 'Someone was willing to give their life for their country.'

Allen Schnell was moved by the sight of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

'It kind of boggles the mind to see all of the names,' said Schnell, who served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. 'You don't realize how many were involved until you see the wall. It was a lot to take in.'

Two more Honor Flights are scheduled for this year, one on Sept. 19 and another on Oct. 17. The flights are free for veterans, and those who wish to travel with them pay their way with a donation.

'I'd like to see every veteran take it,' Schrage said.

Rickey said the Honor Flight is just one way to honor what veterans did.

'They went overseas not knowing what they were going into, but I think that's why it is so important (to honor and thank them),' Rickey said. 'Over the decades of this country's history, those veterans, through their toils, blood, sweat and tears, laid the foundation on which this country rests.'

[naviga:h3 style="padding-left: 60px;"]TAKE FLIGHT

Two more Eastern Iowa Honor Flights are scheduled to take place this year — on Sept. 19 and Oct. 17. Veterans interested in applying to participate should call (855) 344-3435 or send email to easterniowahonorflight@gmail.com. Generally, between 85 and 90 veterans take part in a flight. Participation is on a first-come first-served basis with priority is given to veterans with a terminal illness, then World War II vets, followed by those who served in Korea and Vietnam, respectively. For more information on the application process, go to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight website at eihonorflight.org.

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