On Saturday, September 21, veterans from across the state of Iowa departed from Fort Dodge on the Brushy Creek Honor Flight. A total of 9 Iowa Lakes band members and alumni also headed to Fort Dodge to perform for the veterans on board.
The Honor Flight is exactly that, a flight to honor our veterans. The veterans were flown to Washington D.C. to tour the area. They toured several different war memorials and ended up at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to watch the Changing of the Guard.
Six current Iowa Lakes students, two alumni, and band director Carol Ayres made the trip to Fort Dodge. This year’s Honor Flight was the fifth time that Ayres and a handful of her band members have gone to perform.
Iowa Lakes band member Camden McKenney explained what the experience of playing for our veterans felt like to him.
“Playing at the Honor Flight concert was very fun,” McKenney said, “it was really cool to get together to play with others to honor our veterans.”
Ayres also shared why she believes performing at the Honor Flight is so important to her.
“It helps us honor the veterans who fought for us. For some of the veterans, it’s their first Welcome Home Concert. We feel like we’re giving them the glory they deserve,” Ayres said.
According to organizer Ron Newsum, this Honor Flight held 155 veterans from 25 different Iowa counties. Most of the participants (149) were Vietnam War Veterans. There were also a handful (5 or 6) of Korean War Veterans.
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