9/10/2008
TIM UNRUH
Through the static of a poorly connected wireless telephone, Ralph Stenzel said he collected priceless memories Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
“I was a great, great tour,” said Stenzel, 86, Ness City.
He was among the 102 World War II veterans — most from northwest Kansas — who took in an Honor Flight, an all-expense-paid day trip to the nation’s capital.
“Us World War II veterans really appreciate it,” Stenzel said from Washington, after a visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
Tho motorcade of buses was about to head back to Reagan National Airport and the chartered jetliner for the return flight to Salina Municipal Airport.
No one let on that a hero’s welcome awaited them in Salina.
It was a beautiful fall day in Washington, Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran said, and extra special for him. The Hays Republican’s father, Ray Moran, 92, Plainville, was among the veterans on the flight, whose main mission was to see the World War II Memorial.
“These are the fathers of people I grew up with, my doctor growing up, people from my community that I knew as a kid in grade school and high school,” Jerry Moran said.


Read more of reporter Tim Unruh's story in Thursday's Salina Journal.