They are among the best this nation has ever produced.
The men and women of World War II literally saved the world from unspeakable evil.
Friday morning, 105 World War II veterans left Sioux Falls for Washington D-C, to see for themselves the memorial dedicated to the war that left a mark on them and the world.
For these veterans, mobilizing under the cover of darkness is nothing new.
Nearly 70 years ago, these same people were in camoflague fighting the freedom of the United States and the world, working to stop a madman and his evil plan of domination.
"If you lost friends in the service, it brings back lots of stories and memories from long ago. That's 60 years ago. I'm lucky to live this long." Ray was in World War II for about three years and he is proud of his service and amazed that he will be able to share this trip to Washington with his new bride of 5 weeks, Betty.
She too is a veteran, she too worked to stop the Third Reich from taking over the world.
Many of these veterans are on fixed incomes, which is why the Honor Flight is such a blessing.
None of the vets...have to pay a dime for this trip. Rick Tupper is with South Dakota Honor Flight. "There is no cost at all to the veterans. So everything is covered. When they show up....i've had a veteran show up with $5 in his pocket and he came home with $5 in his pocket. We cover everything."
America entered World War II...two years after it began.
By then, Adolph Hitler was marching across Europe and had his sights set on the rest of the world.
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard tells me, all of these men and women made a real difference in how the history of the world was written. "They really did change the face of the world and I wonder what Europe would be like today if not for America."
Every one of these vets sacrificed years of their life to fight and win world war ii.
None of them is asking for a "thank you" but a deserve one and Honor Flight helps give it to them.
This is the 11th Honor Flight out of Sioux Falls.
Next month, another flight will leave for Washington; right now that 12th flight is expected to be the final flight for the South Dakota Honor Flight program.
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