Three local Vietnam Era veterans—Larry Buntrock, Roger “Willy” Tom, and Boyd Hagenson—recently experienced powerful and emotional journeys as part of the Midwest Honor Flight, a program that offers veterans a one-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials and receive long-overdue recognition for their service.
Buntrock and Tom participated in Mission 24 on May 6, while Hagenson was a part of Mission 25 just two weeks later. The Midwest Honor Flight, part of the national Honor Flight Network, has flown thousands of veterans to the nation’s capital since 2005. While priority is given to World War II and terminally ill veterans, most participants today are Korean and Vietnam War veterans. Many area veterans from Britton, Veblen, Langford, Claremont, and surrounding communities have made the trip in recent years and found it deeply meaningful.
Larry Buntrock, a Navy veteran who served from 1964–68 and was based primarily in San Diego, found the Honor Flight to be a deeply moving experience, despite having previously visited D.C. He especially appreciated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “The precision of the guards was impressive,” he said.
Roger Tom, an Army veteran who served from 1963–69 and worked as a coder in Panama, had never been to Washington, D.C. before. Encouraged by Rose Kraft of the local American Legion Auxiliary, he applied for the flight two years ago. He said the Iwo Jima Memorial stood out to him, along with the Vietnam Wall and Arlington. Both Buntrock and Tom were accompanied by personal “guardians.” Buntrock’s grandson, Logan Fonder, joined him with help from the local American Legion, while Tom’s guardian, Britton-Hecla school employee Ryan Nack, was sponsored by the Britton-Hecla Student Council. “It was the honor of a lifetime, and I would do it again in a minute,” said Nack.
Boyd Hagenson of Britton made the journey on Mission 25. A Marine Corps veteran who served from 1967–70, including time in Vietnam, Hagenson said the experience was “outstanding.” His son James encouraged him to apply and served as his guardian on the trip. It was Hagenson’s first visit to D.C., and among the 85 veterans on his flight which even included two World War II veterans. Hagenson was especially impressed by the Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima), which he called “pretty darn nice,” and noted that the mail call and welcome home ceremony were “a total surprise.” He praised the organization of the event, saying, “We didn’t want for anything,” and urged fellow veterans to sign up: “Just get up there and sign up. The experience was great.”
All three veterans found “Mail Call,” where participants receive letters of appreciation from students, family, and community members, to be a touching surprise. Tom’s letters came from Britton-Hecla students and locals, thanks to outreach by Kraft. “It was a nice surprise,” he said. “It took me a few days to read everything.”
Each veteran was also moved by the “Welcome Home” celebration upon their return to Sioux Falls, which included cheering crowds, a veterans’ motorcycle group, and emotional reunions. For Buntrock, who noted that many Vietnam veterans never received proper recognition upon returning home, the welcome was especially meaningful. “So many of us who came home never got recognized,” he said. “I couldn’t believe how many people were there—it was really something.”
Tom also received a special homecoming at Britton-Hecla School, where students lined the halls to greet him with a “Braves tunnel.” All three local veterans praised the organization of the Honor Flight and the support they received from their guardians, local sponsors, and the broader community. They strongly encourage other veterans to apply. Several flights are held each year. More information and applications can be found at midwesthonorflight.org, by calling (605) 215-1319.
