Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN

Dennis Schumacher // US Navy // US Navy Reserve // ACTIVE DUTY RANK // E-7 Dennis was raised in Zeeland, North Dakota and now resides in Fargo. He joined the Navy, where he served from June 1968 through May 1970. After graduating basic training in Gulfport, Mississippi, he was assigned to the NMCB-58 in Davisville, Rhode Island. Dennis was a heavy duty construction mechanic, re...

Lee Otos // US Army // SGT Lee enlisted in the Army and began his service in August 1968, staying in until August 1971. After his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he worked in communications while stationed in Germany. Earning his Sergeant rank was a huge accomplishment for him. After the Army, he moved back to North Dakota and worked in trucking for 35 years before ultimately retiri...

James “Jim” Kloehn // US Army // E-4 Jim was drafted and off to the Army in 1971, serving through 1973. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he became part of Co. A, 1-66 Armored (General Patton’s Original Battalion!) at Fort Hood, Texas. He worked as the BC’s driver and was very proud to have also helped some of the guys out i...

LuDean C. Bruer // US Army // CPL LuDean joined the Army in February 1952 and served through February 1954. After graduating from basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he worked as a driver for the for the colonel, big truck and Jeep maintainer, driver’s training instructor, and regimental dispatcher with HHC 28th Inf. Div. 112th Reg. He saw time at Fort He...

Georgia joined the Army as part of the student nurse program and began serving in 1965. She graduated the program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas in 1967 and then was part of the Army Nurse Corps. She saw time at Fort Riley, Kansas; Quinhon, Vietnam; Fort Ord, California; and Missouri. Georgia was a Registered Nurse and worked in orthopedics, emergency, and intensive care. Before her military time was...

Oliver “Ollie” Huseby, Jr. // US Army // E-5 He calls the Fargo area home after having grown up in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Oliver began his Army career in June 1967. After completing basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he was assigned to the 76th Eng. in Korea. He worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. His fondest memory of serving was seeing the USS Pueb...

Robert “Bob” Bergman // US Army // SP4 Bob began his Army service in November 1968 after being drafted. He completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was then promptly sent to Vietnam where he linked up with the 1st Cavalry as an artillery gunner. Bob made a lot of great relationships with his fellow comrades and is so thankful for all of them. His time in the mil...

Tank McNamara had a chance to visit with Jerry on their first stop at the The National Museum of the United States Army.  Gerald W. “Jerry” Anderson US Army E-5 I was born and raised in New York Mills, Minnesota and still call the area home today. I was drafted by the Army and served for two years (1970 through 1972). After graduating from basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington,...

Tank McNamara visited with Curt and his son Kyle who is currently serving at the National Museum of the United States Army.   Curtis F. “Curt” Knutson US Army / North Dakota National Guard E-5 / E-8 I grew up in Alby, Minnesota, and am proud to now call the Fargo, North Dakota area home. I joined the Army and served from 1969 through 1971. I was stationed with B-5 46th Engine...

Tank McNamara had a chance to visit with Roger Lomstrom at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on day 2 of the Honor Flight.  Roger F. Lomstrom US Army SP5 I grew up in Zim, Minnesota. I now call Henning home. I was drafted by the Army and served from 1965 through 1967 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and specialized training at Camp Zama, Japan. I was a me...

Tank McNamara had a chance to visit with Larry Steckler and his son Scott, who is a military veteran as well at the World War II Memorial on day 2 of the Veterans Honor Flight.   Hilary L. “Larry” Steckler US Navy MM3 I grew up in Valley City, North Dakota and am proud to still call the area home. I volunteered for the Navy and served from November 1963 through November 1967....

Tank McNamara had the opportunity to visit with Richard A. Deschene at the World War II Memorial on day 2 of the Veterans Honor Flight.  Richard A. Deschene US Army CPL Argyle, Minnesota is where I come from and where I’m proud to still call home. I was drafted by the Army and began my service in January 1952. After graduating from basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, I spent...

Tank McNamara had the honor to walk with Terry along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on day 2 of the Veterans Honors Flight.  The two sat down after the walk just outside the Lincoln Memorial.   Terrance L. “Terry” Teiken US Army E-5 I was born and raised in Ogema, Minnesota and happily call the Detroit Lakes area home today. I was drafted by the Army and in November 1970,...

Tank McNamara and Jerry, two familiar faces, walked through the National Archives Research Center together, reflecting on Jerry’s military service and discussing the Veterans Honor Flight   Gerald O. “Jerry” Anderson US Marine Corps CPL I grew up in Farwell, Minnesota, and now call Dilworth home. I joined the Marines and served from October 1968 through May 1970. After gradu...

It takes an incredible team to make an Honor Flight possible, and this trip was no exception. From bus captains and medical staff to respiratory therapists, wheelchair assistants, and stair helpers, every volunteer played a vital role in creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our veterans. Among them was Dr. Andrew Stasko—a veteran himself—who served on the medical team. Near the...

Joel Heitkamp is on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C., and sits down with Don Heit to talk about his service and the trip.  Don is from Grand Forks, ND and joined the Army in 1968 and served through 1970. He completed basic training in Fort Lewis, WA and was part of the 4th Inf. Div. while working his way to platoon sergeant. He spent a year in Vietnam and earned both a Purple Hea...

Ryan Janke from KFGO News gets the opportunity to talk with Steve Hammond while on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C.  He joined the Navy and began his service in 1968. After basic training, he was assigned to VAW-111 at North Island, California where he worked as an aviation electronics technician on E1-B aircraft. His time in the Navy concluded in 1973.  After the military,...

During a little down time on the shuttle bus, KFGO's Robbie Daniels had a chance to catch up with Bobby: Robert A. “Bobby” Johnson US Marine Corps CPL I was born and raised in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota – the only place I’d ever like to live! I joined the Marines and served from 1959 through 1962. When I was finished with basic training at Camp Pendelton, California, I was as...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels & Her Husband, who was a volunteer, shared some great conversations with Leon. If you're wondering why he sounds so horse, Leon spent hours chatting with is fellow Veterans! Here's Robbie's conversation with Leon: Leon D. Schultz US Army PFC Leaf Valley, Minnesota is were I was raised and now I live just a stone’s throw down the road in Garfield. I volunteered for s...

Jerry and Sherry met, fell in love and got married while serving for the U.S. Army at Presidio Army Base in California. They were never able to have a First Dance. But thanks to a quick-thinking volunteer for the Honor Flight, they finally got their dance. Here's what they shared with KFGO's Robbie Daniels about that 1st Dance:  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Janke from KFGO News sits down with Rob Power while on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C. Rob is originally from Hunter, ND, and now calls West Fargo home. He joined the Marines in February 1974 and stayed until February 1976. After his basic training in San Diego, CA, he spent time in the 3rd Marines, 9th Division in the 10B platoon. He was located in Okinawa, Japan.  After t...

Dave shares his experience with KFGO's Robbie Daniels:  David A. “Dave” Essler US Army E-4 Brooten, Minnesota is where I grew up. I now live in Alexandria. I volunteered for the Army and served from January 1967 through January 1969. I spent my basic training time at Fort Lewis, Washington and then was connected to the 2nd Armored Div. where I was part of the infantry. Our unit sa...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels spoke with Wayne about his time spent in Italy: Wayne H. Sheilds US Air Force MSGT I come from Grand Forks, North Dakota and call the Moorhead, Minnesota area home today. I served in the Air Force from 1972 through 1992. After graduating basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, I in USAF Missile Maintenance as a supervisor/technician and ground launch Cruise Missile supervisor...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels, chats with Dennis. Dennis wants to Thank YOU! Listen why now: Dennis L. Cassatt US Air Force // SD National Guard E4 // E5 I come from Rogers, North Dakota and now call Lisbon home. I enlisted in the Air Force and served on active duty from February 1955 through June 1959. I spent basic training at San Antonio, Texas and would later link up with the 91st Air Wing where I wor...

KFGO's Robbie Daniels chats with Boyd, who has a great story about dancing:    Boyd L. “Ope” Oppegaard US Navy E-4 Erskine, Minnesota is where I was born, raised, and continue to live. I was originally drafted but chose to enlist in the Navy. I served for three years from July 1971 through July 1974. After completing basic training in San Diego, California, I was stationed ab...