Fennimore resident, Dan Knutson was among the 2019 veterans to traveled on the Badger Honor Flight.
The Badger Honor Flight is a celebrated program that allows Wisconsin vets to visit the memorials in Washington D.C. that were erected in their honor.
Several veterans from the Fennimore area, along with their guardians, have had the honor of participating.
According to their website, the “Badger Honor Flight is a regional affiliate of the national Honor Flight Network, the purpose of the Honor Flight Network is to ensure that World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and terminally ill Veterans from any war have the opportunity to see the memorials that have been erected in their honor.”
Veterans like Knutson fly out of Madison on a whirlwind day trip to D.C.
Knutson served in the Navy from 1968 until 1970, with 1969 until ‘70 being spent in Vietnam.
“Went up and down the rivers,” Knutson recalled of his time in Vietnam. “I spent a bit of time on the Mei Kong Delta, it was quite the experience.”
Once out of the service Knutson went back to work on his family farm for awhile as well as driving a 7-Up truck, among other jobs over his life time.
Knutson has two daughters, one of which, Dani, went on the flight as his guardian.
“She couldn’t believe it!” Knutson said of her reaction. “She just kept saying ‘it’s quite the experience.”
Knutson waited two years after sending in his paper work before he was able to get the notification of his trip.
“I was kinda excited,” Knutson said. “I talked to others who went and everyone was quite excited about the trip.”
Knutson shared that it indeed was quite the memorable trip.
“It was a FULL day! I slept for two days after, I was whooped!”
Although all of the memorials were memorable, including the Vietman wall where he was able to find names of his fellow soldiers, “The Vietnam wall was quite the experience,” Knutson said. “I found the names of friends I lost.”
The welcome home also had a huge impact on him and his daughter.
“When we came down the glass elevator and saw all the people, my God, there had to be 2,000-3,000 people there, it was amazing,” Knutson said. “I knew some girls from Montfort with signs, that was neat. The whole trip was wonderful. They treated us like royalty.”
The Badger Honor Flight Shares that the Honor Flight Network recognizes American Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington D.C. to see their memorials at no cost. Priority is given in chronological order of conflicts with the exception being made for terminally ill veterans from any conflict or war.
The Badger Honor Flight is a celebrated program that allows Wisconsin vets to visit the memorials in Washington D.C. that were erected in their honor.
Several veterans from the Fennimore area, along with their guardians, have had the honor of participating.
According to their website, the “Badger Honor Flight is a regional affiliate of the national Honor Flight Network, the purpose of the Honor Flight Network is to ensure that World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and terminally ill Veterans from any war have the opportunity to see the memorials that have been erected in their honor.”
Veterans like Knutson fly out of Madison on a whirlwind day trip to D.C.
Knutson served in the Navy from 1968 until 1970, with 1969 until ‘70 being spent in Vietnam.
“Went up and down the rivers,” Knutson recalled of his time in Vietnam. “I spent a bit of time on the Mei Kong Delta, it was quite the experience.”
Once out of the service Knutson went back to work on his family farm for awhile as well as driving a 7-Up truck, among other jobs over his life time.
Knutson has two daughters, one of which, Dani, went on the flight as his guardian.
“She couldn’t believe it!” Knutson said of her reaction. “She just kept saying ‘it’s quite the experience.”
Knutson waited two years after sending in his paper work before he was able to get the notification of his trip.
“I was kinda excited,” Knutson said. “I talked to others who went and everyone was quite excited about the trip.”
Knutson shared that it indeed was quite the memorable trip.
“It was a FULL day! I slept for two days after, I was whooped!”
Although all of the memorials were memorable, including the Vietman wall where he was able to find names of his fellow soldiers, “The Vietnam wall was quite the experience,” Knutson said. “I found the names of friends I lost.”
The welcome home also had a huge impact on him and his daughter.
“When we came down the glass elevator and saw all the people, my God, there had to be 2,000-3,000 people there, it was amazing,” Knutson said. “I knew some girls from Montfort with signs, that was neat. The whole trip was wonderful. They treated us like royalty.”
The Badger Honor Flight Shares that the Honor Flight Network recognizes American Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington D.C. to see their memorials at no cost. Priority is given in chronological order of conflicts with the exception being made for terminally ill veterans from any conflict or war.
For further information, you can contact the Badger Honor Flight at 608-616-0243 or via email at administration@badgerhonorflight.org or check out their website at www.badgerhonorflight.org.
