Mount Pulaski veterans cook and serve breakfast to raise funds for Land of Lincoln Honor Flights

This weekend, the Mount Pulaski American Legion Ryman-Fuiten Post 447 veterans hosted a brunch to raise funds for Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. Pictured from left to right: Guardian Jeff Beccue, WW II veteran Charles “Chick” Holmes; Korean Era veterans - Loren Holmes, Robert Maske, Orville Bandelow, Alan Roos, Herb Seitzer; Vietnam Era veteran Ralph Beccue, and Guardian Gary Seitzer.

[April 15, 2016]  MOUNT PULASKI - The Mount Pulaski American Legion Ryman-Fuiten Post 447 hosted a brunch Sunday morning and took time to recognize local veterans who served our country. Present were Guardian Jeff Beccue, WW II Veteran Charles “Chick” Holmes; Korean Era Veterans - Loren Holmes, Robert Maske, Orville Bandelow, Alan Roos, Herb Seitzer; Vietnam Era Veteran Ralph Beccue, and Guardian Gary Seitzer.

The men also served the delicious brunch that helped to raise funds for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Chairperson Joan Bortolon and Vice Chairman Adam Liesman were also on hand to talk with the veterans and the many families that passed through the breakfast line.

Bortolon has been involved since the inception of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight in 2009. She was on the very first flight in May of 2009 and incidentally has now been on all 36 flights. She noted in a teasingly manner that Liesman has been on 35 flights, perhaps missing one due to football obligations. At any rate, Bortolon truly loves this program with her whole heart and soul. She said with a gleam in her eye, “I cannot imagine that plane taking off without me. It is so rewarding and so much fun.”

Bortolon also mentioned that she was never able to take her own father on the Honor Flight but still felt the desire to take that first flight and was immediately hooked on the experience. “Dad passed away the year before the WW II Memorial was completed so we were not able to take him on an Honor Flight,” said Bortolon. "But when I was asked to join and help form the Honor Flight in Springfield I thought 'I could not do it for my own father, but I wanted to do it for someone else’s father.’

After the first flight it was such an amazing experience that I said to the chairman, "Now I want to do it for everybody’s father.”

Liesman also spoke and offered his thanks to the crowd for their support. “It takes about $65,000 to get wheels up and we do not take any money from the government,” noted Liesman. "One-hundred percent of the money comes from events like this and through donations from you good folks. We really appreciate the support and this will do a lot towards getting our veterans out to Washington, D.C. to see their monuments that are dedicated to their service and sacrifice.”

To date 36 flights have departed Springfield bound for Washington, D.C. On those 36 flights were a total of 2,751 veterans.

This year the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight has flights planned for April 19th, May 17th and June 21st.

Pending available funds, there will also be flights in the Fall projected for August, September and October.

Remember there is always a “Welcome Home for Veterans” at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield following the end of each flight to Washington, D.C.

To make donations you can visit the website at www.LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org or contact the organization via mail at Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703-5310.

[Teena Lowery]