Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN

Joel is joined by Leo Ackerman while on the Veterans Honor Flight in April 2025.  Leo was born and raised in Hillsboro, ND and still lives there today. He joined the National Guard in 1965 and served until 1971. He spent his basic training at Fort Polk, LA and was then assigned to the 141st Engineering Battalion, Co. B. He was part of the team that built the runway at Hector International Airport in Fargo, ND.  After his discharge, he was a JD Mechanic and went into farming. He is a member of the American Legion in Hillsboro.  You can learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While on the April 2025 Veterans Honor Flight, Joel sits down with Jim Hagen to talk about the flight and his service.  Jim is from Northwood, ND and still lives there today. He was drafted and then volunteered for the Air Force, and served from March 1971 through March 1975. He spent basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, and was then assigned to the 319th at Grand Forks AFB. He worked on the Minuteman Missile System and Emergenc Maintenance Team while there. He received a Commendation Medal for his work.  After his discharge, he co-owned a parts store and gas station, and worked as an aircraft flight simulator technician.  Learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While on the April 2025 Veterans Honor Flight, Joel is joined by Warren Dunham.  Warren was born and raised in Ulen, MN, and now lives in Hawley. He was drafted by the Army and served from 1968 through 1969. After his discharge from the Army, he worked in dairy farming. He has been married to Susan since 1970, has three kids, and is a grandpa to seven grandchildren. He is a member of VFW Post 1223 in Dilworth.  Learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mayor of Moorhead, MN, Shelly Carlson, talks to Joel while on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Douglas martin grew up in Cogswell, ND and now lives in Milnor. He was drafted by the Army and served from September 1966 through September 1968. After his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was stationed in Vietnam where he worked as an artillery gunner. Douglas also earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during his service.  After his discharge from the Army, he went back to work for Bobcat for 38 years.  He is a member of VFW Post 6339 in Forman and the DAV. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruce is a US Army Veteran that grew up in Enderlin, North Dakota and now lives in Fargo. He joined the Army and served from 1968 through 1969. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he spent time with the 30th Artillery in Okinawa. From there, he was moved to the 199th Light Infantry in An Loc-Long Binh, Vietnam.  He is a member of the American Legion and serves in the post's Honor Guard as their Chaplain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Janke from KFGO News interviews Michael McCarthy while in D.C. on a Veterans Honor Flight. Michael grew up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and now calls Moorhead home. He Served in the Navy from 1960 through 1963. When he was finished with basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he served on shore patrol and in personnel at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.  After the Navy, we worked in law enforcement for 27 years. He is a member of American Legion Post 21 in Moorhead, Minnesota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al grew up in Austin, Minnesota and now lives in Miltona. He was drafted by the Army in December 1961 and served for two years, with basic training spent at Fort Carson, Colorado. After his service, he returned to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator.  He is a member of the American Legion Post #87 in Alexandria and has been a Commander for the last 10 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam grew up on a farm outside Fertile, Minnesota and now lives in Bemidji. He enlisted in the National Guard in March 1965 and remained in the service until March 1971. He graduated from basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and then spent time as a rifle squad leader in Crookston. He also completed Cold Weather Operations Course at Fort Greeley, Alaska and was in the Honor Guard.  After his time in the Guard, he was a natural gas transmission compression and pipeline operator and heavy equipment operator for many years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russell is a U.S. Navy veteran, and grew up in and still lives in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He joined the Navy in April 1974 and served until April 1999, graduating from basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois. After basic training, he spent time in San Diego, California working as a mechanic aboard the USS Ajax AR6, EOD Model Unit, and USS George Phillips FF6-12. He spend a year and a half in the Persian Gulf and another year and a half involved in Desert Storm.  He is a member of the VFW, DAV, and Walk of Flags in Fergus Falls, and previously earned the Adjutant of the Year for the time spent with the DAV.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.