Mt. Pleasant veterans invited to take part in recent honor flight

Mt. Pleasant residents Stanley Hill and Albert Rich were privileged to be a part of the May 19 Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington.

Hill, a former mayor of Mt. Pleasant, and Rich both served their country during the Korean War. They were among 83 veterans on the flight and each veteran was escorted by a volunteer guardian.

Some of the memorials they visited included the WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, U.S. Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other points of interest in the Washington, D.C., area.

The veterans also were taken on a city tour where they were able to see the Smithsonian Institute, the U.S. Capitol, the White House and various other historical buildings.

While in Washington, D.C., Hill visited with former U.S. Senator and Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole and had his photo taken with Dole. The veterans were also greeted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa.

Hill also noted he appreciated seeing the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial site.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to sending local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit various historical sites and war memorials. Since Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began in 2009, it has transported more than 1,500 Iowa veterans from Cedar Rapids to Washington, D.C.

Upon arrival back in Cedar Rapids, Hill and Rich were greeted by family members and relatives.