Richard “Dick” Bjerke, a 92-year-old Korean War-era veteran, could not believe how well he and 85 other veterans and their guardians were treated this past week as they took part in the most recent mission of the Midwest Honor Flight.
Bjerke participated in Mission 22 of the nonprofit, which offers all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C., for veterans from South Dakota, northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska, and southwest Minnesota.
“How they really made you feel, that everybody appreciated what you had done, being in the service and being willing to serve your country, it really was an amazing experience,” Bjerke said.
“It was a long day, but it was worth it.”

Bjerke served as a motor sergeant in a transportation unit at Fort Hood, Texas, from 1953 to 1955. Though he was never deployed, his dedication to serving his country is a point of pride. He moved to Flandreau with his wife, Donna, in 1975, where he worked as an agricultural loan officer at Farmers State Bank until the early 1980s.
He now resides in Sioux Falls.
He was accompanied by his son Brad, who served as his guardian, which each veteran is required to have. Twenty medical staff, media members, and bus captains also joined the trip.
The group began their journey at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, flying to Washington, D.C., where they visited the city’s iconic War and Service Memorials.
“To see those memorials and feel the respect given to veterans was incredible,” Bjerke said, encouraging other eligible veterans to apply for the experience.
The day ended with a welcome home ceremony where family, friends, and community members greeted the veterans. Midwest Honor Flight has now completed 22 missions, serving nearly 2,000 veterans, with more than 500 on the waitlist.
More than 500 however, remain on a wait list. For those interested to apply, email info@midwesthonorflight.org or call(605) 215-1319.