Honor Flight president to speak in Hartley

A northwest Iowa man who has helped hundreds of military veterans take "one final tour with honor" will deliver the keynote address at Hartley's Memorial Day program on Monday, May 30.

Aaron Van Beek, volunteer president and director of Midwest Honor Flight, has taught third grade at Kinsey Elementary in Sioux Center for the past four years. In July, he will transition to full-time CEO of Midwest Honor Flight. Van Beek also serves as the volunteer Director for South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Wreaths Across America and Sioux Center Wreaths Across America, and is a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 199 of Sioux Center and of the VFW Auxiliary Unit 628 of Sioux Falls.

"They answered the call to serve our country and those around the globe," he said. "It's now our duty as a grateful nation to get them out to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials dedicated to their service and fellow comrades. It truly is the least we can do as the American people for our brave American heroes."

Although not having served in the military himself, his passion for veterans comes from three of his great-grandfathers (WWII), one grandfather (Vietnam), and one sister (current), all who served honorably in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Several years ago, Van Beek saw a need in northwest Iowa, South Dakota and southwest Minnesota – veterans were not having the time or the funds to see their memorials in Washington, D.C. In 2017, he started the Midwest Honor Flight through the Honor Flight Network. This was the first Honor Flight in the region to fly Korean and Vietnam veterans, in addition to WWII veterans, to Washington, D.C. under the care and supervision of Honor Flight Guardians.

As the founder of Midwest Honor Flight, Van Beek has been awarded the JoEllen DeKauk Service Award in 2018, Sioux Center Community Service Award in 2018, Sioux Center Community School District Above and Beyond Award in 2018, Iowan of the Day in 2019, and one of the "20 Under 40 Young Leaders" from northwest Iowa in 2020.

Memorial Day services at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley will start at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30. Six new flags will be dedicated to the Avenue of Flags: Lee Currier, Alvin Petersen, Harold Hoftyzer, Glenn Stoterau, Larry Wills and Wayne Westphalen.