For the first time, the South Dakota veterans visited the World War Two Memorial built in their honor on Saturday. As they took in each and every detail, funeral services were underway back home for Winner vet Kenneth McDowell.
Family says 82-year-old McDowell, also known as "Red," was excited to go on Honor Flight, but wasn't feeling well recently and gave up his seat. He died Tuesday, November 10, of respiratory problems and would've been the fifth Winner vet along on this trip.
"In town about the only place we got in Winner to get coffee in the afternoon is McDonalds, and he was always down there with the group,” fellow Winner vet Ralph Sachtjen said. “In fact, that's where I talked to him the last time I talked to him."
Other vets say hearing of McDowell's death makes them realize the need to get these vets to Washington, D.C. as soon as possible.
"We're all running out of time,” Winner veteran Joe Janak said. “Money is no object when it's put against time."
"After this flight, we've brought 500 vets to their memorial and we still have 600 on the list. We still have a job to do and we're not giving up here," Honor Flight organizer Rick Tupper said. Organizers want to do five more flights next year for a total of $600,000. They still need donations, so other vets can experience Honor Flight the way McDowell and so many others never got to.
"I think he's looking down on us today," Janak said.
McDowell was buried Monday at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.
