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It's been an emotional ride, in more ways than one, for Herman Hohlen, 88, and Norbert Morris, 88, both World War II Veterans, and members of VFW Post 772, living in the Longville area. This spring, the two men began making plans to go on an "Honor Flight" to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Honor Flight Program gives veterans, at no cost, a trip to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II and Iwo Jima, Korean, and Vietnam Memorials, and Arlington National Cemetery.

For Hohlen and Morris, their plans to go on the Honor Flight came to an abrupt halt, when they learned they did not have a seat on the Honor Flight, due to a funding difficulty. The roller coaster of emotions got rolling again, when a seat on the flight had become available. In mid-August, Hohlen learned he would be leaving on the Honor Flight Sept. 4, 2010. Morris said he wanted Hohlen to go, because Herman was having health issues with his eyes and is dependent on oxygen. Morris would take a later flight, however, Morris' trip was not certain, funding had not yet been found. That is, until the kindness and outpouring of generosity of the community provided enough funding to make the Honor Flight possible. Morris would be able to go on an October Honor Flight. The emotional ride continued, when on Sept. 2, the Post and Morris found, due to another cancellation, a seat on the Sept. 4 flight was open, giving Morris the opportunity to go with Hohlen.

The men, along with fellow VFW Post 772 member, Kam Kammueler, acting as an Honor Flight Guardian (paying his own way), headed to St. Cloud to embark on their journey. The St. Cloud Honor Flight group of 35 World War II Veterans, including two POWs and 20 guardians left St. Cloud at 6:30 a.m., aboard a bus to the International Airport in Minneapolis. They boarded a Delta Airlines (who provides discounted fares for the Honors Flight Program) commercial flight to Baltimore, Md., arriving some two hours later. The flight was Norbert's first flying experience. As they came off the plane, they were met by men and women from different branches of the United States military, welcoming them with cheers, applause and salutes. They boarded another bus, this time destined for Washington, D.C., and were ordered "Eyes right," where they were honored by salutes from men and women of the military. The first stop was the World War II Memorial, around 4 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]Herman, assisted by his guardian, Martha Roth, of St. Cloud, made his way around the memorial grounds. Hohlen said the memorial was "Unbelievable," and he had mixed emotions of what it meant to him knowing what it stood for and everything his fallen comrades went through. Morris and his guardian Kam, toured the memorial, which is graced with two entrances, the Pacific and the Atlantic, granite pillars with a bronze wreath each symbolizing a U.S. state, territory and possession, a flowing fountain, and a wall of 4,000 stars, each star represents 100 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country during World War II. Morris said "It's the nicest monument out there." He also said "Words can't describe it."

From the World War II Monument, most of the group went on to see the Marine Corps War Memorial which depicts the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II. The monument features six Marines raising the flag, with a thirteenth hand on the pole, symbolizing the hand of God was with them. From there, the group went on to Arlington National Cemetery, where they witnessed the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Sunday morning came early to the group, as their Washington D.C. tour began at roughly 6:30 a.m. Sunday's tour took them to the Korean War Veteren's Memorial and the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. The Honors Flight group from St. Cloud then boarded a plane for Minneapolis, then took a bus back to St. Cloud, where they were once again greeted with cheering, waving and salutes. Norbert said the trip made him feel special, saying "I've never had so many recognize me and my service."

Herman's military career took him from boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station, to New Orleans where he was trained to work on Landing Ship, Tank (LST), amphibious vessels designed to land battle-ready tanks, troops and supplies directly onto shore. He then went on to Rhode Island, receiving training to repair PT boats. Next, Herman went to the Philippines to do repair work. He was a 2nd class carpenter/mate. Herman said while in the Philippines, he once had cereal, crawling with bugs, floating in milk that thankfully didn't taste as bad as it smelt. He said it "Took a long time before I could eat Cheerios." After his three years of service, he worked as a carpenter and mechanic for a time, then worked as a barber until "The Beatles changed things." Herman is a lifetime member of both the VFW and American Legion. In 1984, he transferred his VFW membership from Elk River, where he was a five-time Commander, to VFW Post 772, who he has served as Commander and Adjutant.

Norbert began his military service at Fort Sill, Okla., in an Artillery Battalion. He then spent two weeks in Hawaii getting three Artillery Brigades organized, the 426th, 427th and Norbert's Battalion, the 428th. His Battalion shipped out to Leyte, Philippines, and later went on to Luzon, serving there during the liberation of the Philippines. He returned to North Minneapolis and began working in a machine shop that folded six months later, losing a contract for war work after World War II ended. Next, he began doing formica work in the Twin Cities, including work at most of the Dayton's houses. He and his wife Doris built their home in Longville in 1978. While working on their house, he continued paying VFW membership to the Post he belonged to in the Cities, then transferred his membership to VFW Post 772 in 1980. He will be eligible for the 60-year VFW Emblem in 2011.

Both Veterans said of their trip, the had excellent accommodations, received tremendous and unbelievable service. Three days after returning from the trip, they felt is if they were still on "Cloud Nine." If given the chance to take the trip again, both said they would do it without hesitation. They also recommend the trip to other Veterans. As for the people of the area who donated to the program, they are very grateful and appreciative of the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. Norbert said, "The Lord blessed be to get me on the trip, getting me there and back." The both agreed this town they call home, Longville, is the best little town on earth.

Kam, who repeatedly said the trip was not about him, it was about Hohlen and Morris, was equally excited to take the trip. Kam said to become an Honor Flight Guardian, one must simply volunteer and pay your own way. Taking the trip with Hohlen and Morris was "The best $750 I've spent in my life," said Kammueler. With the donations the Post has received, and future Honor Flight donations that may come in, Kam says they want to make sure all World War II Veterans, whether they belong to the VFW or not, who want to make the Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., have that opportunity. Donation to support the Honors Flight Program may be directed to VFW Post 772, P.O. Box 73, Longville, MN 56655, note "Honor Flight" in memo portion of check.

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