WASHINGTON — It was a wake-up call long before dawn Saturday for 82 veterans taking part in Midwest Honor Flight Mission 7 from Sioux Falls. The veterans, their guardians, medics, and flight crews all arrived at Sioux Falls Airport for a 5:15 a.m. flight to Washington.
South Dakota Air National Guard Members presented colors during the National Anthem before boarding.

A veteran and his guardian pause to admire the Washington Monument
The plane – decked out in patriotic colors and staffed by red, white, and blue-clad flight attendants – was met on the tarmac at Reagan with a water-cannon salute.
Once inside, airline personnel, supporters, and passers-by welcomed the vets to D.C. – some holding flags and signs.
The group boarded buses and began the day at the Iwo Jima Memorial. From there, going to witness the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
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USMC veterans standing in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial (photo courtesy Midwest Honor Flight)
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World War II veterans Arnold Hinseth (Army - South Dakota) and Phares Lefever (Air Corps - Iowa) hold hands in front of the WWII Memorial Wall of Stars in Washington, D.C.
World War II veterans Arnold Hinseth (Army - South Dakota) and Phares Lefever (Air Corps - Iowa) hold hands in front of the WWII Memorial Wall of Stars in Washington, D.C.
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flight attendants wearing patriotic gear on Mission 7
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Patriotic Queen along with veterans holding flags at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls
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veterans are greeted by a crowd of supporters when they arrive back at the arena
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welcome home ceremony to end the day
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a young man waves an American flag
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veterans smile and wave to their families
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the crowd of supporters that turned out to the arena
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Midwest Honor Flight arrives back in Sioux Falls for a welcome home ceremony
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veterans were surprised with a welcome home ceremony upon returning to Sioux Falls Saturday night
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Changing of the Guard and Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. (photo courtesy Midwest Honor Flight)
Changing of the Guard and Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. (photo courtesy Midwest Honor Flight)
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Vietnam veterans on Mission 7 outside the Vietnam Memorial (photo courtesy Midwest Honor Flight)
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Veterans arrive at the Vietnam Memorial (photo courtesy Midwest Honor Flight)
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Korea Memorial, currently under construction in D.C. (photo courtesy Midwest Honor Flight)
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A veteran reads letters sent from friends, family, and supporters on the flight back to Sioux Falls
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Midwest Honor Flight and it's motto: "one final tour with honor."
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Mission 7 veterans load up on a bus to the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
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Law enforcement and local veterans line up to provide an escort back to the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Law enforcement and local veterans line up to provide an escort back to the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
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Midwest Honor Flight President Aaron Van Beek shakes hands with Mission 7 veterans as they return to Sioux Falls Airport.
Midwest Honor Flight President Aaron Van Beek shakes hands with Mission 7 veterans as they return to Sioux Falls Airport.
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Local veterans present colors at Sioux Falls Airport for the arriving Midwest Honor Flight
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Midwest Honor Flight veterans arrive at Sioux Falls Airport, greeted by other local veterans and cheering supporters.
Midwest Honor Flight veterans arrive at Sioux Falls Airport, greeted by other local veterans and cheering supporters.
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Veterans arrive back at Sioux Falls Airport
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The Washington Monument, seen across the reflecting pool on the National Mall.
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Two World War II veterans - Arnold Hinseth (SD) and Phares Lefever (IA) - sit in front of the WWII Memorial in D.C.
Two World War II veterans - Arnold Hinseth (SD) and Phares Lefever (IA) - sit in front of the WWII Memorial in D.C.
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U.S. Air Force Memorial, D.C.
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Fall is beginning to arrive in D.C. - you can see the changing leaves framing the Washington Monument.
Fall is beginning to arrive in D.C. - you can see the changing leaves framing the Washington Monument.
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A statue of Airmen stand next to the three pillars of the Air Force Memorial in D.C.
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The area surrounding the U.S. Air Force Memorial in D.C., located near the Pentagon
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vets arrive at Reagan met by cheering crowds
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vets arrive at D.C.'s Reagan Airport
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deplaning at Reagan Airport - gate attendants and flight crews clapped and cheered as the veterans came out
deplaning at Reagan Airport - gate attendants and flight crews clapped and cheered as the veterans came out
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Midwest Honor Flight was greeted by a water cannon salute at D.C.'s Reagan Airport
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veterans, guardians, and flight crews on the way to D.C.'s Reagan Airport Saturday morning
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festive decor on the plane to make it special for Mission 7 veterans
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Veterans were transported on four charter busses through D.C.
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A man holds a sign while directing veterans to their busses outside Reagan Airport in D.C.
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Crowds cheer for veterans arriving at Reagan Airport
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A crowd of supporters greet Midwest Honor Flight Mission 7 at D.C.'s Reagan Airport.
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boarding the plane from Sioux Falls to D.C.'s Reagan Airport
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Veterans and their guardians get pictures taken at Sioux Falls Airport
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An early hotel meeting on Saturday morning before heading to the airport
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veterans and their guardians begin checking in Saturday morning
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breakfast is passed out to vets and their guardians before the flight
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veterans arrive at Sioux Falls Airport
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a statue of former South Dakota Governor and WWII "Flying Ace" Joe Foss stands in the lobby at Sioux Falls Airport
a statue of former South Dakota Governor and WWII "Flying Ace" Joe Foss stands in the lobby at Sioux Falls Airport
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the plane from Sioux Falls to D.C. was decorated in patriotic colors
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boarding begins in Sioux Falls as veterans shake hands with the SD military members who presented colors during the National Anthem Saturday morning
boarding begins in Sioux Falls as veterans shake hands with the SD military members who presented colors during the National Anthem Saturday morning
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veterans and their guardians wait at Sioux Falls Airport
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veterans shake hands with SD military members who presented colors during the National Anthem on Saturday
veterans shake hands with SD military members who presented colors during the National Anthem on Saturday
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vets line up to board in Sioux Falls
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vets and their guardians wait to board in Sioux Falls
Vets and guardians were treated to a panoramic view from the three spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial next to the Pentagon – designed in the traditional “missing man formation” – and reaching 201 feet at it’s highest point.
Walking through West Potomac Park, the group visited the FDR Memorial, and got a clear view of the Washington Monument before loading up and heading to the World War II Memorial with it’s intricate fountains and pillars.

World War II veterans Arnold Hinseth (Army – South Dakota) and Phares Lefever (Air Corps – Iowa) hold hands in front of the WWII Memorial Wall of Stars in Washington, D.C.
There, two veterans of the Second World War – from South Dakota and Iowa – sat in front of the Wall of Stars, which contains 4,048 stars – one for every one-hundred Americans killed during the conflict.
The group walked along the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial and then the Vietnam Memorial, where vets were able to find the names of their comrades etched in granite.
These veterans were greeted back at Sioux Falls Airport with bagpipes and veterans holding flags. They were loaded onto buses and escorted to the Sanford Premier Center, where a massive crowd cheered them on as they unloaded.
A long day full of emotion for our nation’s veterans, who – thanks to the kindness of strangers – were able to go on “one final tour with honor.”
You can catch more stories from Midwest Honor Flight all this week here on NewsCenter1.
CLICK HERE for more information on Midwest Honor Flight, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram.