Virtual honor flights bring D.C. memorials to North Dakota veterans

STUTSMAN COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN is making sure local heroes still get their trip of a lifetime, even when they can’t leave home.

The group set up a virtual honor flight Sunday for 89-year-old Korean War veteran Donald Olson in Montpelier, North Dakota. Surrounded by his family, Olson took a virtual tour of Washington, D.C., and the memorials built in his honor.

He shared stories from his time in uniform while his daughter read a letter he’d kept framed since 1955.

The Honor Flight team also brought a virtual trip to Russell Carlson in Jamestown, North Dakota. Carlson’s health kept him from traveling, so staff at the nursing home helped set up a welcome-home celebration as he toured the memorials online.