Longtime Veteran Talks About Serving In Vietnam As He Tours D.C. on the Honor Flight
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota/Minnesota is already on trip number 20 with 100 veterans.
KVRR’s Juliana Pelaez and Photographer Eric Bolin are with the veterans in Washington, D.C. on day two.
July 4, 1776 the United States of America was officially founded. And today, veterans were able to see those documents first hand.
“It’s really powerful to see those documents and realize that our democracy is very much alive. Our republic is alive and active and working. And we see that everyday here in Washington, so to see how it started and how it continues and is enabled by veterans like them who sacrificed to protect that our freedoms it’s just a really powerful place to visit,” said Republican Rep. Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota.
For many of the veterans it was a great honor to see the documents and the various memorials for the first time. But it was also a time for many to share their stories with their comrades.
“Some of this stuff that they had to go through I think in Nam was probably worse than what I had. And probably some of this stuff we’ll never bring up but I think it’s therapeutic to just talk about some of this stuff amongst ourselves.”
Robert Peterson had served 27 years for the country. From Vietnam, Okinawa, California, and the Desert Storm. Serving for four years in the Marine Corps and pulled towards joining the Army National Guard, and then soon after the Navy.
“Had a great time, met great people, enjoyed my time in the service. I wasn’t ready to leave.”
Peterson was discharged after having a heart attack. But left with the rank of senior chief.
The Honor Flight continues tomorrow with coverage of their homecoming early Tuesday night.
Return trip and Homecoming May 6th. Veterans will load the shuttle bus and be taken to the Fargodome where the homecoming will be. Please update all family members and friends about the homecoming at the Fargodome May 6th. Arrival time at the airport is scheduled for 5:00pm. Families, please pick your Veterans up at the Fargodome.
