Vernis Haberichter reflects on recent Honor Flight experience

by David Johnson

As often happens, something that began as a simple gesture gains momentum and what was embraced by the few becomes something shared by all communities. Earl Morse was a physician assistant and an Air Force Captain. On retirement in 1998, Morse went to work at a clinic in Springfield, OH, employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Working with World War II veterans, Morse would encourage them to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. He discovered over time that these veterans would either continue to put it off or just could not simply afford the cost to travel to the nation’s capitol. With approximately 800 World War II veterans dying each day, Morse organized the first Honor Flight in May of 2005, chartering six small planes carrying 12 veterans, flying out of Springfield, OH to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorial. Word spread and other communities wanted to orchestrate a similar program. From small aircraft, the program evolved to commercial airlines providing the transportation with some airlines like Southwest Airlines donating tickets to those veterans. A large number of businesses and corporations stepped in and also are contributing so the veterans participating in the flights are not burdened with the costs of the trip.  Soon, thousands of veterans of World War II were making the flight to the memorial that pays tribute to their service. The program is now moving on to include veterans of the Korean War in order to visit their memorial and later Vietnam veterans will be able to see the memorial built in tribute to their sacrifice.
Every state now has flights leaving for Washington D.C., including Iowa, from which  flights are directed from its larger airports. A growing number of veterans from Allamakee County have been joining their fellow Iowans as they make a trip to a destination that might have been out of their reach if not for the contributions from volunteers who organize the flights and financial contributions from businesses willing to ensure that these flights continue.
One of those locals participating in the Honor Flight program is Vernis Haberichter of Waukon. Haberichter, age 82, served a tour of duty in Germany during 1952 through 1954 during the Korean War. When openings for Korean War veterans were offered, Haberichter's daughter, Sheri Rowe, registered her dad almost a year ago at the Waterloo Hy-Vee.
Time went by slowly until January of this year when the call came that Vernis would be flying out of Waterloo in April.   The trip was expense free for Haberichter, the only stipulation was he had to have a guardian to go along. Rowe was more than anxious to accompany her father and paid her own expenses to join the trip.
April 4,  Haberichter and Rowe attended an orientation in Waterloo sponsored by Hy-Vee. Information was presented as well as a meal that was catered for the veterans and their guardians. They were assigned colored tags, red, white and blue. These tags were significant, as they designated what busses they would ride when being transported to the memorial sites from the airport.  Each participant received a hat and shirt to match the colored tags assigned to them, so there would be no confusion what group they were with or what bus to ride when being transported.
At 5 a.m. at the Waterloo airport, father and daughter arrived and finally flew out at 7 a.m., arriving in Baltimore, MD at 10 a.m. The flight included around 90 veterans with 80 guardians, some guardians serving for more than one veteran. Both World War II and Korean War veterans were represented in this group, some in very good health, some confined to wheelchairs. Also on the flight were three nurses and a doctor to provide any medical services if necessary. Haberichter was informed earlier that flying to Baltimore is cheaper than flying into Washington, D.C., so this has become part of the itinerary when leaving Iowa.
Greeting the flight after it landed were active military personnel. When leaving Waterloo, arriving at Baltimore, leaving Baltimore and returning to Waterloo, there was a group of either former or active military personnel greeting or sending off this Iowa contingent.   
Leaving the airport, the group boarded three buses, the nurses dividing on the buses along with representatives of Hy-Vee. The Iowa group joined Honor Flights from Maryland and Texas who toured with their Iowa compatriots. Arriving in Washington, D.C., the World War II Memorial was visited first, the tribute to Iowa veterans receiving a great deal of attention. Then the groups split, and within walking distance, visited the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.
The group was then transported around the city and were able to see the White House, the Iwo Jima Monument, the Pentagon 911 Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington, the tour witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While being transported through Arlington, the group witnessed a burial, one of approximately 30 each day at the Cemetery.
The group was then bussed back to Baltimore, leaving the airport at 7 p.m. and arriving in Waterloo around 9:45 p.m.
There were many points of interest for this Allamakee County veteran, but some were more significant than others.   “I thought the Korean War Memorial was impressive. They had figures sculpted with their weapons and dressed in their gear. Seeing Waukon native Jim Reilly’s name on the Wall at the Vietnam War Memorial was memorable,” remembered Haberichter. Reilly was one of Allamakee County’s Vietnam War veterans who sacrificed his life during that conflict.   
When asked what advice he would give to those interested in being involved in a future Honor Flight, Haberichter provided a wealth of information. “You would be missing a chance of a lifetime. There was nothing negative with this entire experience,” volunteered Haberichter. What impressed him was how everyone pitched in to make this trip enjoyable.   Besides Hy-Vee, Arby’s provided pack lunches. A number of Iowans volunteered time, such as the doctor and nurses.   Veterans, along with active military personnel, provided any services when required.
Haberichter never thought the day-long agenda was overwhelming, that he saw veterans in wheelchairs that were getting as much of a kick out of it as those who were more mobile and enjoying better health.   “We knew what we had to do, it was never rushed,” he observed. He did warn not to wait too long on a decision to go on the flight. On of the Korean War veterans who participated in the orientation died ten days later.   
If a veteran is interested, there are very few restrictions.  One has to provide their discharge papers and have a photo ID. Everything is provided and paid for, about the only thing you might bring, besides a camera, is some toiletries. There is no requirement for a physical, there are no hassles. Those who cannot provide a guardian will have one assigned to them.
Veterans who wish to register for a flight are encouraged to contact local veteran’s office which for information about where to register for one of the numerous flights that are provided. There are flights out of Waterloo, Mason City, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and the Quad Cities. Besides Hy-Vee, Target is another corporate sponsor that has provided an avenue for veterans to participate in the Honor Flight program.   
Reflecting on his experience, Haberichter has nothing but praise for the Honor Flight program and found the experience remarkable. His testimony alone should be a hearty endorsement for those who may contemplate involvement in the program.