Casey's donated $250,000 to charter the first jet, and later added a second one to allow more veterans to make the trip, the report said.
"Most of us had never been there," veteran Dale Killion, 87, [image-nocss] told the newspaper. "I want to commend Hy-Vee and Casey's for footing these bills."
The trip began in Des Moines. The veterans were escorted to Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona and greeted by people waving flags and shouting thank you. Entertainment for the evening was a five-piece orchestra playing music from the World War II era and a U.S.O. show. Spouses were invited to accompany the veterans. At 6:30 a.m. the next morning, the Ankeny High School band played as the veterans boarded the two jumbo jets.
Sightseeing for the day included the World War II, Iwo Jima and Korean War memorials, president's monuments and Arlington National Ceremony for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After a long day, the veterans returned home to Des Moines. They were greeted by volunteer fire departments from all over the area to help unload.
A third honor flight has been scheduled for November 4 sponsored by Hy-Vee.
Casey's president and CEO Bob Myers said his company believes it has a duty to honor the commitment and sacrifice of 16 million Americans who served during the war and the more than 400,000 who died.
Ankeny-based Casey's operates nearly 1,500 convenience stores in Iowa and six other states.
Click here for photos from the trip on the Central Iowa Honor Flight website.
Andclick here for the national Honor Flight Network website.
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