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Published May 03, 2010, 12:00 AM

Gallery: Welcome Home, Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight

The people on the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight are welcomed home.


Simon Koster (right) is among Patriot Guard members on hand to welcome home the World War II veterans from Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight, May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)

  • Simon Koster (right) is among Patriot Guard members on hand to welcome home the World War II veterans from Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight, May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Loren Hubner of Pipestone and his granddaughter are the first to arrive off the plane following the inaugural Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Haaky Haakenson of Luverne is all smiles during the welcome home for Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Luverne World War II veteran Haaky Haakenson is welcomed home from the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Families welcome the World War II veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight during their return home celebration May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Families welcome the World War II veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight during their return home celebration May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veteran RJ Mulder of Worthington is welcomed home from the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Gilbert Ketterling of Luverne is pushed through the welcome line by his nephew and Honor Flight guardian Bill Ketterling following the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Totie Totman of Pipestone is welcomed home following the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Leon Schimbeno of Worthington gives his wife Chris a hug after returning from Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Jake Dekker of Worthington gets a handshake from the welcome crew on hand for the return of Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Al Swanson of Worthington is thanked for his service in World War II during the welcome home for Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Les Opheim of Jackson is welcomed home from the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Erv Drenth of Ellsworth gives his wife a hug after returning from Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Les Opheim of Jackson is welcomed home from the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • World War II veteran Marvin Luinenburg (left) smiles after the surprise welcome home for Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Lee Jenkins of Bigelow is thanked for his service during the welcome home for Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight home May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Veterans of the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight return home May 1, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Casey VanEngelenhoven of Luverne is welcomed home from the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight May 2, 2010. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)