At 7:00 a.m., 165 passengers began an Honor Flight from Moline, IL, to Washington, D. C., Thursday, September 20, 2012. Of these, 135 were service personnel and Guardians from World War II and the Korean War.
Whiteside County Honor Flight organizer Bob VanDeVelde stated, “Well over 200 Whiteside County veterans have been sent to Washington, D. C.”
Wiersema Charter Service, Inc. dispatched two 55-passenger coaches from Sterling, IL, to Moline on Wednesday, September 19, so people could spend a restful night before their flight. “Most got on at the Sterling Latin American [Social] Club.” The return flight should arrive at 10:00 p.m. Thursday.
Following are Illinois WWII veterans and Guardians.
- Morrison: Robert Arians, Richard Kuehl, Harvey Ottens, and Leon Ottens; Guardian Charlene Bielema
- Mt. Carroll: Earl Velp, Jr.; Guardians William Velp and Connie Withhart
- Freeport: John Withhart
Following are Illinois Korean War veterans and Guardians.
- Fulton: Eugene Field and Elmer Vogel; Guardian Carol Snyder
- Lyndon: Renyold VanDerLeest