-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Three of the Edwards brothers make their way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Saturday in Washington, D.C. Pictured from left to right: Phil Edwards, of Oak Hill, California, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Norm Edwards, of Otho, a U.S. Army veteran, and Bob Edwards, of Sioux City, a Marine Corps veteran. Kevin Edwards, of Badger, a Marine Corps veteran, was also on the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
A button honoring the life of Jon Tumilson, a U.S. Navy SEAL, is displayed on the hat of John Jacobs, of Manson, a U.S. Army veteran. Tumilson is Jacobs’ nephew. Tumilson died when the helicopter he was riding in was shot down in Wardok Province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 6, 2011. Thirty-one American lives were lost that day.-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Tim Holtan Sr, of Gilmore City, a U.S. Air Force veteran, embraces his daughter, Theresa McKay, of Holyoke, Massachussets, at left, and grandchildren at the Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. Saturday. Eight family members surprised Holtan at the airport during the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Brothers Norm Edwards, of Otho, a U.S. Army veteran, left, Phil Edwards, of Oak Hill, California, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Kevin Edwards, of Badger, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, are pictured during a family cookout Friday night at Norm Edwards' house in Otho.-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Judy Zeidler, of Davenport, at left, Lorraine Tilton, of St. Ansgar and Sonnie Tharp, of Milo, found a comfortable spot on the floor to wait for the arrival of the Brush Creek Area Honor Flight Saturday night at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. The friends were waiting for Army veteran Ken Tilton.-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Avery Jenson, 2, of Algona, holds her handmade “Welcome Home” sign Saturday night as helped greet the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight veterans upon their return to the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. Her sister, Hannah Nelson, 4, at left, puts the finishing touches on her own sign.-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Isaac Loynachan, 9, of Huxley, along with his brother Noah Loynachean, 10 wore their Christmas pajamas to welcome back their grandfather, Marine veteran Dave Gordon at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport Saturday night. Their sister, Viviana Loynachen, 7, opted for a colorful warm blanket instead.