Ralph Sanders, a veteran of the Korean War, sometimes called the Korean Conflict, took the 31st Central Missouri Honor Flight, which left Columbia about 2 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
He returned about 36 hours later, a very tired member of a group of 69 veterans from the area, accompanied by the Patriot Guard on their motorcycles.
The flight included four WWII veterans, 26 Korean War veterans, 39 Vietnam War veterans and a dedicated group of Guardians. The person who served as guardian for Sanders was Randy Coffman.
They went by bus to St. Louis, then flew from there to Baltimore, Maryland, where they once again boarded buses for a very busy day visiting Washington, D.C., memorials, monuments and notable edifices.
Sanders served as a U.S. Army infantryman with the 7th Division, 17th Infantry, from 1950-53.
He had been offered the Honor Flight opportunity several years ago, but felt that others should go first, especially the WWII veterans. There was an additional consideration. Since his wife was not well, he thought it best not to go at that time. When the offer came again recently, he accepted.
According to his son Kevin, the Korean veteran was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to make the trip. With a rank of Private First Class, Sanders was a squad leader who carried a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). His medals include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The latter medal was the result of injuries from an exploding mortar round, which sent shrapnel into his chest, damaging one lung. A part of that lung had to be removed as a result of that injury.
Once on the buses in Washington, D.C., the group traveled practically non-stop, visiting the memorials to the veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, went to Arlington Cemetery and stopped at the Tomb of the Unknown, where they watched the changing of the guard. The veterans also went to the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, the United States Capitol, the Pentagon, the U.S. Air Force Memorial, U.S. Marines Memorial and other sites.
The veterans were welcomed by Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Later, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt met the veterans and talked with them.
Sanders reported being very impressed with the Korean War Memorial. He found it to be an amazing piece of art, which was very real and authentic with ponchos, rifles and gear. In his opinion, even the type of grass grown on the monument is authentic.
In addition, fresh flowers are placed at the entrance to the monument by the South Korean government. And, it isn't just a couple of flowers. There are immense numbers of flowers, placed in appreciation of what the American troops suffered when helping the people of South Korea.
One other thing that impressed Sanders was the two patrolmen assigned to each bus. The buses didn't have to stop anywhere, for stoplights or anything. Probably, the tour couldn't have been done in the required time, if the buses had to stop at the lights.
Sanders is glad he went. According to Kevin, his dad knew this was probably the last opportunity he would have to go and he was grateful for it.
"I feel like it it is an honor that belongs to any of these guys," said Kevin. "I'm glad Dad got a chance to go and see what is rightfully his."
Sanders was accompanied by daughter Sandy in September, when he was presented with a Valor Quilt by The Quilters Group, working with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
The Central Missouri Honor Flight helps to fulfill the dreams of veterans and to help them travel at no cost.
Medical and mobility issues are no problem, since the veterans travel with doctors, nurses, paramedics and younger veterans who serve as personal guardians. The group travels with a large number of wheelchairs for those veterans who need or may need them as they tire.
The trip is completed in one day, so the veterans do not have to spend the night in Washington.
World War II veterans are given priority.