We the People: Michiana-area veterans embark on Honor Flight 52 to DC

WASHINGTON (WNDU) - At Arlington National Cemetery, people gather to see the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider every 30 minutes.

But on Wednesday, the guards were visited by some special guests: U.S. military veterans from northern Indiana.

At around 4 a.m., they gathered at an Air Force base near the Fort Wayne International Airport. Veterans were filled with emotions as they prepared to fly on Honor Flight 52.

“Excited and really honored to be able to go on this flight,” said Walter Bemesderfer Jr., a Vietnam War veteran from Fort Wayne.

“I’m hoping to have fun,” added Gerry Grogg, a Vietnam War veteran from Convoy, Ohio.

After landing a few hours later at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the veterans were welcomed with cheers and songs by supporters and students from the D.C. area.

“We really don’t thank very much,” Melissa Vayra, a McLean, Virginia resident. “If you are kind of going about your regular day, the service that people had and what they’ve given up for our country so that we can have the freedoms that we have, and it’s pretty incredible.”

The first stop following the airport was the World War II Memorial. It honors the veterans who passed away and the millions of veterans who served in the war.

Charlie Garner Sr. from Syracuse, Indiana, is one of them. He fought at Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy in France in June 1944.

“I never thought they would make it that way,” Garner said. “And the adoration seems to be sincere with people and it’s humbling. I never expected anything like this. Never.”

Wednesday’s Honor Flight also honored local Michiana native and former U.S. House Rep. Jackie Walorski. She served Indiana’s 2nd District before she died in a car crash back in 20-22.

She was succeeded by U.S. House Rep. Rudy Yakym, who was also at the World War II Memorial to honor her legacy, along with Indiana U.S. Sen. Jim Banks.

“Jackie Walorski never missed an Honor Flight, and she shook every hand of every veteran, and I miss her every day,” Sen. Banks said.

“It makes me feel good that she was so well thought of,” added Martha Walorski, Jackie’s mother. “It doesn’t bring her back, but she did leave an imprint of her life here.”

About 80 veterans, mostly from northern Indiana, participated in this Honor Flight. They visited various memorials, including the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam.

One of them was Steve Schermerhorn, a Vietnam War veteran from New Paris.

After spending about 20 minutes at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, he managed to find one of his companion’s names on the wall.

“I’m glad it’s there. His name’s going to be there for a lot longer than he lived,” Schermerhorn said.

Veterans and volunteers attended the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery.

On their plane back to Fort Wayne, veterans were given some letters from their loved ones and school kids expressing their appreciation for their service to our nation.

And when they landed in Fort Wayne, they were greeted by hundreds of people cheering and chanting for them with signs saying, “Welcome Home.”

WNDU 16 News Now is planning to do more profile stories focusing on individual veterans who were on this Honor Flight.