by Marianne Gasaway
A Clear Lake man had the experience of a lifetime last week when he was invited to take an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Keith Ransom was among 70 veterans to tour national war memorials on what he called “a journey of a lifetime” sponsored by the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight. He was the only veteran chosen from Cerro Gordo County. Ransom, a veteran of the Korean War, was joined by his guardian, Roger Hicok, a neighbor and friend.
The jam-packed day began at the Fort Dodge Airport at 5 a.m., with arrival at Dulles International Airport at 6:30 a.m. From there, the war heroes, their guardians and volunteers from Honor Flight boarded three buses and proceeded to the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Wall, World War II Monument, Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima Monument and Air Force Memorial. The whirlwind day also included a drive by the U.S. Capitol and White House before returning home.
At age 91, Reason is blessed to be able to recall his life in astonishing detail. He remembers the day in March 1950 when he pre-enlisted in the Navy and that on May 25 of the same year, following his graduation from high school in Lenox, Iowa, he was in Des Moines to take an oath and sign a contract.
“On June 23, there was a directive from the Department of Defense read to us. It said there would be no more leaves and certain reserves were called back to duty. I finished basic in early August and was assigned duty. They were taking aircraft carriers out of mothballs. I was 18-years-old and when I saw one, I thought I had never seen anything so big.” Reason can laugh today about sleeping on the ship’s hangar deck for three or four nights before being assigned a bunk and a job as a Boiler Tender, 2nd Class. “We got indoctrinated real quick,” he chucked. “We knew where and why we were being deployed, but it didn’t set in until we got there.
The 3,000 men who comprised the “Ship’s Company,” departed in late August and arrived in Korea Oct. 19, 1950.
He was able to return to the States in early November for his first leave, but by February 1952 he was back in Korea as a member of a group of aircraft carriers known as Task Force #77. Aircrafts took off from the ship 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Following his discharge from the Navy on March 19, 1954 Reason made the most of learning opportunities offered to veterans. He earned a teaching degree and later added a Master’s Degree in biology to his resume. He taught in both the Sidney, Iowa and Northwood School Districts before coming to Clear Lake with his wife, Janice, and children. He was a member of the Clear Lake High School teaching staff from 1963-93.
Although the entire Honor Flight trip was special, the seven Korean War veterans who took part had an especially touching experience. While they were at the Korean War Monument they were introduced to visitors from Korea who were anxious to meet them and express their gratitude for their service to their country. Reason noted a wreath which is stationed at the monument is sent from Korea monthly.
After the long day in Washington, Honor Flight volunteers had one more surprise for the veterans on their flight home.
“They say there are two things veterans always like to hear shouted out,” said Keith. “Pay day and mail call!”
Each veteran was given a handful of cards and notes from family and others, as well as a Pay Day candy bar.
Keith’s daughter, Kimberly, helped her father get ready for the trip and organized a group to welcome him home.
The veterans were encouraged by Honor Flight volunteers to visit with their families and talk about their personal history and service to the country.
“They told us that ‘when you’re gone, it’s gone. So share the history.”
Reason noted that he had applied earlier to participate in an Honor Flight, but wasn’t chosen.
“This time I feel so lucky that I was. It was a great day that I will always remember.”
Honor Flight Network was created in 2005 by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse with a simple, yet powerful, mission – honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. While initially focused on America’s World War II veterans, Honor Flight Network has expanded its mission to include those who served during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and veterans of any service era who are critically ill. Transporting approximately 22,000 veterans annually, Honor Flight Network has flown nearly 275,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. since its inception.
