Honor Flight documentary to air

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APPLETON — In coordination with the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, Rock County and the Daily Globe, Pioneer Public Television will present a regional premiere of a local documentary — a tribute to our World War II veterans — titled “Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota” on Oct. 16 at the Palace Theater in Luverne.

A free screening is open to the public at 1 p.m. A special separate screening for Honor Flight participants and their families will take place that morning.

“We are proud to be able to present this documentary, which holds such significant importance for these veterans, their families and the communities of southwest Minnesota,” said Les Heen, general manager of Pioneer Public Television.

“Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota” tells the story of more than 100 World War II veterans who were invited to make the journey April 30-May 1 to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. As honored guests on this mission, they encounter many special people — including hundreds of active-duty service personnel, younger veterans and school children — who despite the passing of many years want simply to say “thank you” to the veterans for their military service. Local service and business groups sponsored and organized the trip for the veterans.

“We are so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to tell the stories of these wonderful veterans,” said Eric Olson, executive producer. “As Americans, we owe our freedom to all U.S. service personnel who fought in World War II. In a small way, we hope to pay tribute to their service through this broadcast.”

The broadcast of “Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota” will be on Pioneer Public Television from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11. A second showing will air Nov. 14 from 4 to 5 p.m.

“Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota” was funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Pioneer Public Television is a non-profit viewer supported PBS station serving west Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and eastern South Dakota, via KWCM-Appleton, KSMN-Worthington and K49RA-Fergus Falls. For more information go to www.pioneer.org.

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