From Left (front row) Bruce Howe, Don Thallemer and Russell Hoffert. Back row: Ken Locke, Joe Thallemer and Dr. David Hoffert.

WARSAW — Three local veterans and their escorts were honored yesterday, Sept. 16, with the 16th Honor Flight from Northwest Indiana to the WWII Memorial in D.C.

According to Warsaw School Corporation Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, three different area men attended the flight, including his own grandfather Russell Hoffert. Russell, a Warsaw-native served in WWII.

Don Thallemer, a Korean War veteran, and son, Mayor Joe Thallemer, were also in attendance. Ken Locke of the Kosciusko County Salvation Army attended as well as an escort for WWII veteran Bruce Howe.

Eighty veterans were on the flight. Each one had a volunteer chaperone and the NorthWest Indiana Honor Flight had volunteers helping organize the day-long activities in Washington to honor these heroes.

On the return flight home, a special mail call of letters were given to each of the veterans. David shared this opportunity to honor these Hoosier Heroes with the WCS administrative team. Within a week, students of every grade level wrote an estimated 1200 thank-you letters and pictures to honor these men and women. Each veteran on the Honor Flight received between 10-15 pieces of mail from WCS students.