Veterans return home after D.C. trip to visit war memorials

SPOKANE — Tears streamed down Ryan Mallery's face as he awaited his father Dave's return on Tuesday night from Washington, D.C.

Dave's return to Spokane International Airport with fellow veterans and Inland Northwest Honor Flight volunteers following a two-day trip to visit war memorials was vastly different than his return from the Vietnam War.

"One of the best experiences of my life," the Post Falls man said after making his way through the parade of veterans at the airport. "It was exciting to see all the memorials, and the saddest part was Arlington (National Cemetery.)"

When he returned home, Dave and fellow veterans were welcomed by about 1,000 people, including veteran family members, friends, honor guards and a high school band in a warm and emotional ceremony — and not spat upon like during the war.

"It's almost a re-enactment," said Ryan, fighting back tears and describing Tuesday's ceremony. "Our veterans didn't get the appropriate respect that they deserved. I don't believe a lot of our younger generation understands or respects what it means to serve the country.

"All the (Honor Flight) volunteers who put this on are amazing."

It was the first trip of the year for the nonprofit Honor Flight dedicated to taking veterans to the nation's capital to visit war memorials.

It also marked the first time that Vietnam veterans were taken off the waiting list and made the trip.

The veterans who made the trip included 21 each from World War II and the Vietnam War, and 55 from the Korean War.

The return flight was nearly two hours late due to a medical emergency, but that didn't dampen the spirits of those welcoming the vets home.

Dave Mallery, who served two tours in Vietnam in the Army, signed up for the Honor Flight at an RV show about two years ago. He was told it would be about four years before he'd be notified to go, but a surprise came two weeks ago after a cancellation was made.

"He started packing the minute after the phone call," Dave's wife Tresia said. "It meant a lot for him to go."

Dave wasn't expecting several family members to be waiting for him at the airport around 9 p.m. when he arrived. He had driven to the airport himself early Monday morning because — true to veteran form — he thought he could give a fellow veteran a ride home if one was needed.

At 68, Dave said he was one of the youngest vets on the trip, as one was 98.

"We all bonded immediately, of course," he said.

Navy veteran Stan Wills dressed as a soldier circa 1777, and represented the Sons of the American Revolution at the ceremony.

"I'm here for every one of them," he said. "Our veterans didn't get the welcome reception that they deserved, especially the Vietnam veterans."

Post Falls' Larry Carstensen and his wife, Char, have attended six Honor Flight celebrations, including Tuesday's return for Coeur d'Alene resident Air Force and Korean War veterans George and Lee Periman.

"We're here because of what they did for our country," Carstensen said. "We try to promote this program at our church (Christ the King Lutheran in Coeur d'Alene) to get younger people involved. Too many young people believe everything is free."

George Periman said he's never had such an experience.

"Everyone was so good to us," he said, adding he hadn't been back to the nation's capital since he was in high school. "It was very moving."

Lee Periman said the trip was "overwhelming."

"It's going to be sad going back to being a regular citizen after tonight," she said with a smile. "Seeing the memorials brought tears to our eyes."