SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Sept. 12, 2018 – Sixty-six-year-old U.S. Army veteran Gary “Lou” Dehnert will be taking a Stars & Stripes Honor Flight on September 15th 2018 to Washington, D.C. where he will visit memorials dedicated to honoring his fellow veterans’ service and sacrifices. This journey is Dehnert’s final Dream, fulfilled by Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, and Honor Flight, which transports America’s veterans to Washington.
Dehnert served in Motor Pool Operations in the 528th unit during Vietnam and dreamed of visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington with his son and caretaker, Daniel, to pay respect to the close friends he lost in the war.
“I really want to share everything I can with my son while we are there,” says Dehnert. “I see pictures of the memorials all the time in my VFW magazine, but to be there would give me closure, finally.”
Thanks to Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program who covered Daniel’s trip costs and Honor Flight who covered Dehnert’s, the two will travel from Watertown, Wis. to Washington, where they will visit the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial.
“Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program is honored to recognize Gary “Lou” Dehnert for his strength and sacrifice during all his years of service and beyond,” says Dream Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Kisa Heyer. “We are particularly thankful to Stars & Stripes Honor Flight. Their generosity and commitment to our veterans is truly extraordinary.”
While at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Rep. Glenn Grothman’s (WI-06) Legislative Director, Ryan J. Croft will graciously present Dehnert with a Vietnam War Commemoration Pin* to recognize his courage and service to the nation, a long overdue honor.