Hy-Vee staged a tribute in Des Moines, giving local veterans overdue recognition before the city’s first Honor Flight since 2019. The event drew families and supporters, spotlighting those who served.
Rows of veterans gathered in Des Moines, many for the first time since the pandemic halted public ceremonies. Hy-Vee’s event broke the silence, putting faces and stories back at the center of Iowa’s veteran community.
One attendee, a longtime Iowa veteran, described the day as a personal milestone. Years of private regret gave way to public acknowledgment when he was added to the Honor Flight roster. The moment landed with force, as veterans and their families weighed the meaning of service and the long wait for recognition.
In October 2026, Hy-Vee organized the first Central Iowa Honor Flight in seven years, sending 72 veterans from Dallas, Polk, Madison, and Warren counties to Washington, D.C.
Hy-Vee’s sponsorship put real resources behind the Honor Flight’s return. Attendees moved through a series of tributes, pausing at photo displays that captured raw reactions and the crowd’s support. The event cut through routine, reminding everyone of the cost of military service and the need to mark it in public.
The Honor Flight program in Des Moines had been on ice since 2019. KCCI reported that the gap stemmed from the lack of a local Honor Flight Network hub, leaving veterans in Central Iowa stuck on waiting lists. Hy-Vee stepped in, working with the national Honor Flight Network and the Quad Cities hub to get the 2026 flight off the ground. That move finally cleared the way for dozens of veterans to make the trip.
Hy-Vee’s backing meant more than a logo on a banner. The Honor Flight sent veterans to national memorials and commemorative sites, each participant paired with a fellow veteran for support. The group’s itinerary, confirmed by WHO 13, included stops at the 9/11 and Pentagon memorials, plus the Iwo Jima, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, and World War II memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Military Women’s Memorial.
The flight departed Des Moines around 7:30 a.m. and was scheduled to return at approximately 9:00 p.m. Hy-Vee arranged free shuttle service from its Fleur Drive store to the airport hangar for families and supporters meeting the veterans upon their return.
Local businesses and organizations played a visible role, using their reach to build a culture of respect. Hy-Vee’s partnership with the Honor Flight program showed how direct involvement can turn a routine event into a lasting memory for veterans. John Loghry, a first-time participant, told WHO 13 he was most eager to connect with others on the journey.
Las Vegas sits far from Des Moines, but the push to honor veterans cuts across geography. Southern Nevada’s own veteran events echo the same priorities. Hy-Vee’s approach—real appreciation and a platform for veterans to share their stories—offers a working model for any city. The Des Moines Honor Flight’s return signals that public recognition depends on action, not just tradition.
When the Honor Flight landed, Paul Thiesen stepped off the plane to a crowd of family, friends, and former colleagues. WHO 13 reported Thiesen, now 61, served 41 years in the Navy and Marine Corps, then the Army.
