Trip "tearjerker" for veterans

One hundred and fourteen individuals who fought for this land’s freedom during World War II departed early Friday, Aug. 28, from Rapid City Regional Airport on the second Honor Flight to leave South Dakota. Among the 114 veterans were three Custer residents: Roy Roadifer, Dewey Dirks and Floyd Mills. The flight, they said, was a once in a lifetime experience.

The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. Veterans, like Roadifer, Dirks and Mills, are flown to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. In short, the Honor Flight is a way of paying a small tribute to those who gave so much.

Before the flight Friday morning, the 114 World War II veterans were cordially sent off by Gov. Mike Rounds, who told the vets, “The America we have today would not be here if not for you.”

Sen. John Thune also told the veterans how grateful he is—and everyone is—for their service and sacrifice.

“It was real humbling to hear them thanking us for our service in protecting the country.” said Mills, who served in the Navy for two years. “”

Mills’ eldest son and brother-in-law told him to sign up when he first heard of Honor Flight. Signing up was a smart decision, he said.

“It was rewarding seeing the memorial. It’s nice to know people take care of what we did,” he said.

After hearing about Honor Flight through the local VFW, Roadifer sent in his application. But after not hearing back for awhile, he thought his chances of going were slim. But not much longer after chatting with the boys at the local VFW and telling them he would probably never hear back—he did.

“Finally I got a phone call from an individual in Sioux Falls,”â��Roadifer said. “I was told I was on a flight at the end of August.”

Roadifer, who served in the army for three years, always wanted to see the World War II memorial—which he financially contributed to—but was afraid to take the trip alone.

“It’s not that easy getting around Washington,â��D.C., by yourself,” he said. “If you go with a group and they have a criteria, it is much better.”

After missing the first South Dakota Honor Flight which flew out of Sioux Falls, Dirks—an army veteran—finally made the trip his wife had been coaxing him into taking. 

“My wife insisted that I go on it,” said Dirks. “She told me it was something I would enjoy.”

Dirk’s wife was right, because looking back on it, Honor Flight was definitely a trip he needed to experience he said.

“Every veteran should have a chance to go on the trip,” he said.

Along on the trip were 48 guardians for the veterans. Mills, Roadifer and Dirks all agreed, those volunteers were a saving grace during the trip jam-packed with activities.

“It was a very busy thing for an old man to be doing,” said Mills. “I’m still recovering. But it was worth it. I just wish I was in better shape for it.”

A few of the places the vets visited were Iwo Jima Memorial, FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial and much more.

“I will have to say that it was a very well organized trip,” said Roadifer. “We had quite the criteria. It was an extremely busy two days.”

Due to Ted Kennedy’s funeral on Saturday, Aug. 29, the agenda had to be adjusted. But besides a few changes, nothing was missed, said Dirks, which he and the rest of the veterans were greatful for because each memorial had its own story.

For Roadifer, who once lived in Louisiana, visiting the Vietnam Memorial gave him the chance to see an old friends name. 

“When I lived in Louisiana Iâ��was a Scoutmaster, who had one scout make Eagle rank. That Scout went on to Vietnam and never came home. At the memorial, with the help of a guardian, I found my friend’s name,”â��Roadifer said.

That wasn’t the only time Roadifer was helped by one of the guardians. In all, the volunteers on the trip were a Godsend, he said. 

“They helped us in any way they could. They did everything for us. I have an unlimited admiration for those volunteers. They really went out of their way to be helpful,” he said.

For Mills, many great memories rushed back to him when viewing the memorials. That, however, wasn’t the highlight. His top moment came when a young Boy Scout came up to him.

“The young man thanked me for my service and shook my hand,”â��he said. “I know he was probably awed to be talking to a World War II vet. It just shows that everybody sets an example for someone to emulate.”

The Honor Flight trip, according to Dirks, is something no veteran should miss.

“It was a tearjerker at times,” he said. “I wouldn’t give the experience away for a million bucks. It was definitely something I won’t forget. I just wish Iâ��would’ve taken more pictures.”