Local vets to visit DC next month

Aug. 11 could prove to be an exhausting but rewarding day for many Iowa veterans. That’s the day planned for the next Honor Flight to take World War II veterans to view the memorials in Washington D.C.

Bill Ballenger, a retired veteran from Iowa, is serving on the organizing committee for the Honor Flight, headed by his son Jeff. Ballenger said about 350 will be making the trip in August.

“We had 109 on the first flight and 115 on the second,” Ballenger said. “We should have about 250 this time,” depending on the number of veterans in wheelchairs and guardians who will be making the trip as well.

The flight will leave from Des Moines about 4 a.m., with a quick screening through security. After a two-hour flight to Washington, the men will have time to view the World War II memorial, the Korean War monument and the Vietnam memorial, then take a trip to Arlington National Cemetery and the Iwo Jima memorial, followed by a brief tour of Washington before returning to Iowa by 10:30 p.m.

Jerry Castonguay of Newton is one of those scheduled to make the trip this time. Ballenger said he though there were about three or four other veterans from Jasper County scheduled to go, but said he could not release names at this time. Castonguay said he was very happy that he would be able to make the trip.

“I spent 2 1⁄2 years in the South Pacific, and you can’t just ignore that part of your life,” Castonguay said. “I was shot at and went through bombing, and I have the dubious distinction of being the only one in my entire battalion that got bit by a poisonous snake.”

For more information on the Honor Flight, visit the Web site www.honorflight.org