(Le Mars) — A Le Mars World War 2 veteran recently participated on a “Honor Flight” to our nation’s capital. 93-year old Ralph Niehus traveled with 75 other veterans to Washington D.C. this past Tuesday to observe various memorials and monuments. Niehus says the Honor Flight brought back
memories from his last visit to Washington D.C., some thirty years earlier.
At that time, the Vietnam Memorial was not constructed. Niehus says he enjoyed seeing the Vietnam Memorial during this trip.
Niehus says the veterans made stops at the new World War 2 memorial, as well as the Korean Conflict memorial. They saw the Washington Monument as well as the Lincoln Memorial, and the Arlington National Cemetery with the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Niehus served in the U-S Army for 20 months following the surrender of the Japan Empire. He was stationed in Japan for a year helping with the reconstruction of Japan, and he reflects on his time stationed in the land of the rising sun.
The World War 2 veteran achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant while enlisted in the Army. He says when he returned home after his time in the military there wasn’t any homecoming, or welcome home ceremonies. However, Niehus says when the veterans returned back to Sioux Falls at the conclusion of
the Honor Flight, they were given a large welcome home celebration and thanked for their service to our country.
Niehus doesn’t consider himself as any hero…just a guy that did the job he was asked to do.
