…just a week before Veterans Day … Dad (Virgil Gaard – Minnesota Army National Guard, 1960-66) on his trip of a lifetime with 89 other veterans. In my mind, this image perfectly captures the mission of the entire Honor Flight program. My sister, Belinda, said that “Everywhere we went people thanked our veterans for their service. This little boy touched my heart. He came right up to Dad, shook his hand and said “Thank you for your service”. So heartwarming!.”
family photo – 1964
Congratulations, Dad, on well-deserved recognition of your service!!
Your voluntary enlistment in 1960 was a busy time in your life, coinciding with many important life events:
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- Marriage – Just a year earlier – patriotically on the Fourth of July!
- Family – Belinda arrived in 1961 and I followed 16 months later
- Career – The beginnings of a 50-year career as a respected leader in the seed corn industry
Throughout the years of your service, leading to Honorable Discharge in 1966, you successfully balanced your personal, professional, and military responsibilities. While Belinda and I knew you simply as Daddy, you were busy preparing yourself for possible deployment at a tumultuous time in our nation’s history. The escalating war in Vietnam and resulting antiwar protests, as well as the civil rights movement and other forms of social unrest, were coinciding at precisely the time of your training. You were ready to serve as a member of the Army National Guard in response to any of these events, in addition to being trained for natural disaster relief locally and nationally.
I am very proud of your service to our country, and excited about your Badger Honor Flight selection. Congratulations!!
with love and respect,
Jeff
A few more miles 