Etched into stone at the Korean War Memorial are the words, “Freedom is not free.” The generations of Americans who have made immense sacrifices in service to the United States know all too well what it costs to defend our country and secure our freedoms. They know what they sacrificed – their families do too – and they know others who made the ultimate sacrifice. They are all heroes, and on Veterans Day, we have a special opportunity to honor their service.
One of the greatest honors I have as a U.S. senator is thanking veterans for their service on behalf of a grateful nation. It’s always humbling to present a veteran with medals earned in service to our country or to meet veterans as I travel around South Dakota. I have also had the chance to welcome hundreds of South Dakota veterans on Honor Flights as they visit the memorials built in their honor, sometimes for the very first time.
Honor Flights bring veterans to Washington, D.C., at no cost to visit the memorials representing the conflicts in which they fought. Having the opportunity to welcome these brave men and women to the nation’s capital and to be at the memorials with them is an incredible experience. Each mission often brings together generations of veterans – from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War – whose military service is a common bond. It’s moving to hear the veterans exchange stories and to reflect on the people they served with, especially those who did not come home.
Midwest Honor Flight, which serves South Dakota, has its own remarkable story. In 2017, Aaron Van Beek was in his junior year at Iowa’s Dordt University. He learned about the Honor Flight program and saw the need to expand the organization’s reach into his part of the country. So, he got to work building an organization, thinking he would only coordinate a few flights for local World War II veterans. But Aaron did much more than that. He expanded the mission to Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, and in just six years, Midwest Honor Flight has flown 17 missions, bringing 1,487 veterans to Washington, D.C. His dedication to honoring veterans is admirable, to say the least.
South Dakota takes great pride in the men and women who have stepped forward to serve our country in uniform. Veterans Day celebrations occur in towns big and small across South Dakota. I can remember gathering in the auditorium at Jones County High School to hear from local veterans. Hearing their stories helped instill a strong sense of patriotism and an understanding of what it takes to keep America safe and free.
Veterans Day also makes me think of my dad, Harold Thune, who was a Navy pilot during World War II. Dad flew Hellcats off the USS Intrepid during the war. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, but anytime he talked about his service he would talk about the heroes he served with – great pilots like Cecil Harris from Cresbard, the Navy’s second-highest scoring ace in the war – and what they did, rather than his own achievements. My family and I were honored earlier this year when a banner for my dad was added to Rapid City’s Veterans Honor Banner Project. I hope that these reminders of American heroes inspire the next generation to continue to serve our great country and the values for which it stands.
To those who have served our country in uniform: Thank you. Your service and sacrifice have secured America’s promise of freedom for another generation, and we owe you a debt of gratitude for all you have done. God bless our troops, and God bless these United States of America. Happy Veterans Day.