Staff writer
Eldon Beneke, 86, a World War II veteran, recently joined other veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial. The trip was sponsored by Central Prairie Honor Flights.
The honor flights were established in 2005 by Central Prairie Conservation Resource and Development and are funded through fundraisers and private donations.
Beneke and his wife, Betty, live in Salina, but he spent most of his life at Lincolnville. His son Doug accompanied him to Washington, D.C.
Before the flight, each person received a blue and red cap and a red and white T-shirt to wear over their shirts for the three-day excursion.
The Benekes were part of the first Honor Flight that got to tour the White House on its first morning in Washington. There had been 12 previous flights.
They then went to view the World War II Memorial that sits on 7.4 acres. They were greeted by a wall with 4,000 sculpted gold stars, each star commemorating 100 American soldiers who died in the war.
Other memorials in the area were the Korean Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Memorial, and Iwo Jima Memorial.
The group visited the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and viewed the changing of the guard.
They completed their tour by returning to the World War II Memorial for prayer and spiritual remembrance.
The national World War II Memorial was authorized by law in May 1993 and was completed and dedicated in 2004.
Beneke was stationed in France and Germany, and then served in the South Pacific on the Island of Luzon and in Japan.
He remembers how special it was to receive a letter during “mail call.” He is thankful for the 34 letters he received.
“I would recommend this trip to all World War II veterans if they have the chance,” Beneke said. “The trip was very worthwhile and well organized, with very much to see.”
The goal of Central Prairie Honor Flights is to send as many World War II veterans as possible to view the memorials in Washington, D.C.
Veteran and guardian applications are available at www.duncanwebsiteservices.com/Central_Prairie_Honor_Flights. Tax-deductible donations also may be made online.