• Article Photo. Henry Van Eschen and daughter Peggy Weideman at WWII Memorial in D.C.
    Henry Van Eschen and daughter Peggy Weideman at WWII Memorial in D.C.
  • Article Photo. Vinton Vets Virgil Greenwood, Vince Blank Gene Davis and Henry Van Eshen after Honor Flight.
    Vinton Vets Virgil Greenwood, Vince Blank Gene Davis and Henry Van Eshen after Honor Flight.
  • Article Photo. Roger Uthoff helps Henry Van Eschen board plane in C.R.
    Roger Uthoff helps Henry Van Eschen board plane in C.R.
  • Article Photo. Henry Van Eschen saw the Washington Monument from the bus.
    Henry Van Eschen saw the Washington Monument from the bus.
  • Article Photo. James Fordice-Rowley, Guardian Deb Rundlett, Don Alden-Shellsburg and Cliff Zieser-Independence.
    James Fordice-Rowley, Guardian Deb Rundlett, Don Alden-Shellsburg and Cliff Zieser-Independence.
  • Article Photo. Henry Van Eschen shakes hands with Gov. Culver in Washington, D.C.
    Henry Van Eschen shakes hands with Gov. Culver in Washington, D.C.
  • Article Photo. Peggy and Henry at reflecting pool near Lincoln Memorial.
    Peggy and Henry at reflecting pool near Lincoln Memorial.
  • Article Photo. Virgil Greenwood and Henry Van Eschen at WWII Memorial.
    Virgil Greenwood and Henry Van Eschen at WWII Memorial.
  • Article Photo. Henry Van Eschen views the Washington Monument.
    Henry Van Eschen views the Washington Monument.
  • Article Photo. The visit to the Vietnam Memorial was a first for many of the WWII veterans.
    The visit to the Vietnam Memorial was a first for many of the WWII veterans.
  • Article Photo. Here's a message Henry Van Eschen and other WWII vets understand quite well...
    Here's a message Henry Van Eschen and other WWII vets understand quite well...
  • Article Photo. Honor Flight participants also saw the Iwo Jima Memorial, the statue based on the iconic WWII pic.
    Honor Flight participants also saw the Iwo Jima Memorial, the statue based on the iconic WWII pic.
  • Article Photo. While the trip was very busy, it did offer several moments for quiet reflection.
    While the trip was very busy, it did offer several moments for quiet reflection.
  • Article Photo. Henry Van Eschen at Arlington National Cemetery.
    Henry Van Eschen at Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Article Photo. Vinton VFW Post 8884 member Marilyn Newton played her bagpipes to honor veterans at airport.
    Vinton VFW Post 8884 member Marilyn Newton played her bagpipes to honor veterans at airport.

The Honor Flight experience for Henry Van Eschen of Vinton was "amazing and fantastic," said Van Eschen's daughter, Peggy Weideman. 

"They had so much planned for the veterans," she said. "It was so much fun."

Weideman accompanied her father on the trip as one of the companions. It was her first trip to Washington, D.C, as well. 

The veterans left early Tuesday morning for the flight from the Eastern Iowa Airport and returned there late Tuesday night. A total of 98 veterans and more than 60 care-givers made the flight, along with Honor Flight organizers and members of Iowa media.

"It was a long day," said Weideman. "They had so much planned for the veterans."

The veterans went to the World War II memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam and Korea memorials. They ate lunch while taking a bus tour of D.C.

On the way home, the veterans received letters thanking them for the service. The letters were from friends and family, as well as students in Iowa.

"Those letters left tears in Dad's eyes," said Weideman, who praised the Honor Flight organization for how well-organized the trip was. 

"They had more people welcoming us home in Cedar Rapids then they did in Washington," she said. 

(The photos accompanying this article are courtesy of Peggy Weideman)