Another Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is leaving Milwaukee Mitchell International airport Saturday Sept. 12.
There will be 183 veterans on the flight including 44 who served in WWII, 138 who served in the Korean War, and one terminally ill Vietnam veteran. There will also be three veterans who survived the D-Day invasion and coincidentally all are named Floyd.
Quite few veterans from Washington County will be taking part in the tour to Washington D.C. including Lloyd Derge, 83, of Jackson.
“I was drafted into the U.S. Army 1952 when I was 19 years old,” Derge said.
Sitting in his Jackson home, surrounded by photos of his six children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Derge spoke about traveling to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania for basic training.
“Then we went to Korea,” he said. “It took 18 days to get over there by ship. We first stopped in Japan and then went to Korea.”
Derge, a Corporal in the 5th Regimental Combat team, was a heavy-equipment operator working to repair roads damaged in the war. “The weather was just like Wisconsin,” he said. “Once I got workin’ it was like I was just in the states.”
Returning to Fort Campbell, Kentucky after one year in Korea, Derge was discharged and returned home to work at Weasler Engineering.
“I haven’t been to Washington D.C.,” said Derge about Saturday’s flight. “I’m interested in whatever happens.” Lloyd’s son Dean Derge will be his guardian.
The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight will fly its 29th mission on Saturday. The flight will depart Milwaukee at 7 a.m. to a water-cannon salute and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport at 10 a.m. Veterans will board nine deluxe motor coach buses with police escort. Itinerary includes:
• World War II Memorial
• Iwo Jima/Marine Corps Memorial including Marine Corps Silent Drill Team
• Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Lincoln/Korean/Vietnam Memorials and the Air Force Memorial
Delta Defense is a supporter of veterans and the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight. Delta Defense provides liability insurance and other services for people who have permits to carry concealed handguns. Delta Defense is located at 300 S. Sixth Ave. in West Bend. More information is at 877-677-1919 or http://www.deltadefense.com/