LaRue & Rogers part of Kansas Honor Flight

The Kansas Honor Flight program stands as a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Through organized trips to Washington, D.C., veterans can visit memorials dedicated to their sacrifices, fostering camaraderie and appreciation among those who defended our freedoms. This initiative not only honors their service but also allows them to share their stories and experiences, ensuring that future generations remember the sacrifices made for our country.

Among the most recent veterans from our community to be honored with an Honor Flight were E-4 Delwin LaRue (Navy) and E-3 Jim Rogers (Navy), who traveled to Washington, D.C., in late October.

The two men departed Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, October 20th, and arrived at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at 11:00 a.m.

When they landed, people at the airport paid tribute to the veterans by clapping and saluting as the Honor Flight group walked by.

The veterans then traveled to Mission BBQ in Columbia, MD, which honors our soldiers and first responders, for a get-acquainted luncheon. LaRue stated that at the restaurant during the noon hour, everyone stops eating, stands, and sings the 'Star-Spangled Banner' as a tribute to our country.

The scheduled afternoon stop at historic Fort McHenry was replaced with a bus tour of Baltimore due to the government shutdown, with everyone enjoying the sightseeing adventure. A casual dinner at the Hilton was then held with more visiting among the honored veterans, many of them from the same service period as Delwin and Jim.

Delwin stated, 'There were about 130 veterans with a lot in common.' He even met a veteran originally from Osborne, now located in Kansas City, who had a few years earlier in 1968-1969 on the same ship, the U.S. Hancock CVA-19, that the two served on. Delwin and Jim were in the Navy from 1973 to 1976, with Delwin deployed on a WestPac cruise in 1975.

On Tuesday, the Kansas group, which consisted of three large busloads, departed the hotel after breakfast to spend the morning touring the WWII, Korean, Lincoln, and Vietnam Memorials, located in and around the National Mall.

While at the World War II Memorial, the two enjoyed touring the grounds. Delwin and Jim had their pictures taken by the Kansas area of the monument. While on the grounds, Jim said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran's interns greeted the Kansas group. Jim also took a picture of one of Stockton’s own, Timothy Miller, who’s name is engraved on the monument.

Delwin stated, when they arrived at the Lincoln Memorial, 'I was going to walk up all those steps to the top since I know I would probably never be back in D.C, so Jim and I did just that.' There are a total of 87 steps in front of the statue of Lincoln, commemorating the start of his famous Gettysburg Address: 'Four score and seven years ago.'

They both said that their view overlooking the reflecting pool from atop the Lincoln Memorial, with the Washington Monument and Capitol building in the background, was an amazing site. But that wasn't even the high point of Delwin's time in Washington, D.C., because an honor of a lifetime was waiting for him at Arlington National Cemetery at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Delwin noted that when their bus arrived at the Cemetery, four veterans from each of the three buses were chosen to participate in separate wreath ceremonies, with two of the four veterans to help place the wreath in front of the Tomb. Delwin was selected as one of the two for this honor from his bus.

The solemn ceremony took place with the four veterans, escorted by one of the Tomb Sentinels, as they walked down a flight of stairs to the front of the Tomb. Delwin and his fellow veteran then placed the wreath on the stand. Jim had the best seat in the house, with a front-row view of the procession. Both stated that this was one of the most amazing and favorite parts of their trip, since they also witnessed the Changing of the Guard, which Jim said was the best part of the day.

The afternoon tour took the buses to the Iwo Jima Memorial, noted for the largest bronze statue in the world, for lunch, and to the Air Force Memorial. This was followed by a driving tour of D.C., which included the Eisenhower Memorial. The full day of sightseeing then concluded with dinner at Golden Corral. Jim noted that everywhere the veterans went, they were greeted with people saluting and clapping, honoring them for their service.

On Wednesday morning, everyone was up bright and early for breakfast, then the ride back to airport, and the flight home. The veterans arrived back in Wichita a little after noon, with a Welcome Home Ceremony at the Golden Hotel to conclude this once-in-a-lifetime trip. This Honor Flight was the 105th Flight since this program's inception, with the WWII and Korean War veterans as the top priority. Delwin said he filled out an application about a year ago for his Flight and was told there were 400 veterans on the waiting list, so he thought it would be a longer wait before he was selected. But then Linda Hagan contacted him during the summer and informed him that there was an opening on the October flight. Jim then submitted his application, and it worked out that the two could go on the Flight together making it a fitting tribute to their time in the Navy since they both joined the military at the same time. Jim stated, “I am honored that I got to go.”

So to all the brave veterans who have taken part in the Honor Flight, we salute you. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifices have paved the way for our freedoms and protected our way of life. Thank you for sharing your stories and for allowing us to honor your service. You are not just heroes; you are an inspiration to us all. Your legacy will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. Thank you for your service!