Present and accounted for, 85 veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars mustered for takeoff in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as part of Midwest Honor Flight’s 22nd mission.
The destination is Washington, D.C., for an all-expenses-paid tour of our nation’s military memorials.
Along for the ride and a big welcome are two longtime Sanford Health employees.
“It just felt like it was the right thing to do to step up and go as Cal’s guardian,” said Denise McGraw.
Arriving in D.C., Army veteran and former Sanford Wellness Center director Cal Hanson was flanked by McGraw, the facility’s current manager.
Hanson added, “she’s a wonderful woman.”
A Sanford employee from 1985-2015, Hanson has long been proud of his service to the military and the health care organization.
“Oh yeah, nothing but,” said Hanson.
Serving as a companion on the Midwest Honor Flight trip, McGraw said, “it’s an honor to be part of that.”
‘Those that never made it home won’t be forgotten’
First stop: the Air Force Memorial on a beautiful, 70-degree September day without a cloud in the sky.
A touching spot where Hanson could honor his father Capt. Garland Hanson, an Air Force pilot who died in service.
“It’s even more important for (veterans) to be able to see these memorials and know that their service won’t be forgotten but also those that never made it home won’t be forgotten,” said Aaron Van Beek, Midwest Honor Flight president and CEO.
Another important rendezvous for the pair: the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.
“We have a really nice picture at the Marine Corps Memorial that somebody took. That’s my favorite,” said McGraw. “I grew up as a little sister of three Marine brothers. So, I always thought the Marines were the coolest thing ever. It rubbed off on my son who’s currently a Marine, and my daughter is married to a Marine as well. I hold veterans near and dear to my heart.”
It’s part of the reason why Denise is using her eight hours of volunteer time off from Sanford to be at her friend and mentor’s side. The two started working together in 2007.
“He raised a lot of us to be the leaders that we are today,” said McGraw. “Confident and not afraid to tackle things. We learned the importance of relationships from Cal and how to treat people.”
One of those relationships revisited Hanson on the trip.
“He had a persona of health, fitness, and he was like bedrock. He was there,” Sanford Wellness Center member Lee Leuning said after greeting Hanson.
‘I was a good soldier’
Hanson retired from Sanford nine years ago. Leuning didn’t know the fitness expert was also a highly decorated Vietnam vet.
“Surprised me. I never knew,” said Leuning. “Most veterans, they don’t talk about it. They don’t tell you what they went through. It’s anti-being a vet. They’re not braggarts and they’re not wannabes.”
Hanson remembered that he “didn’t mind the war. I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t run and I didn’t let somebody else do my job and that kind of thing.”
But the bronze star and purple heart recipient couldn’t hold back his emotions when remembering the fallen.
“That’s war. It sucks,” Hanson said tearing up. “I was a good soldier; I got a lot of those stars. I was injured three or four times. One was not very funny but I got up, got out. I fought. I was a fighter.”
Midwest Honor Flight, a final salute, is meant to help veterans and their families heal.
“Hopefully bringing some closure to that service and showing just how much everybody does appreciate their time,” said Van Beek.
Serving in the Vietnam War, Hanson didn’t get the welcome home he deserved.
He said this event has been “wonderful. I’ve never been included in such a wonderful group of people that want to make it right.”
‘Cal has touched so many lives’
After a long day and on the flight home, mail call.
“He had a good stack of letters,” McGraw said.
Letters written to Hanson from community members and Sanford teammates.
“Everybody was very thrilled and willing to participate and let Cal know what he has meant to them or what his service meant,” McGraw said.
“Cal has touched so many lives in his years of working here.”
With kind words from dozens of supporters washing over him, Hanson’s heart is full.
“I love every one of them. Every one of them,” said Hanson.
Van Beek said, “our veterans deserve nothing less. They were willing at one time in their life to put everything on the line. If it meant giving up their life for the freedoms of our country and those around the globe, they were willing to do so.”
‘It’s a family, truly’
In honor of vets like Hanson and military families, the Sanford Wellness Center today provides free memberships to the spouses and children of deployed military personnel.
“It touches my heart that Sanford recognizes the importance of veterans and what they’ve done to sacrifice for all of us,” said McGraw.
“If you walk up and down, at least when it opens, it’s a family, truly,” Hanson said about the fitness center.
A family, a community cheering each other on and making everyone feel welcome and at home.
When buses full of veterans pulled into the Sioux Falls Arena at day’s end, the response from the crowd gathered was overwhelming.
“It’s just a memory that I will never forget, and I was very honored,” McGraw said. “I totally appreciated the gesture and being able to witness the veterans as they come home and are surprised by that. It was amazing.”
Learn more
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Posted In Community, People & Culture, Veterans
