Loyal veteran recognized through Honor Flight
By Valorie Brecht Bruce Hadler of Loyal recently got to take a trip of a lifetime, the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. He and 106 other veterans from northern and central Wisconsin got to view the memorials in Washington, D.C., that were installed in their honor, along with being welcomed back to Wisconsin by hundreds of people waiting to thank them for their service.
“It brought immense pride and tears were flowing,” Hadler wrote in a written interview.
Hadler is from Red Wing, Minn. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1974 during the Vietnam era. He figured he would have been drafted, so at age 18 he enlisted for three years. He completed his basic training at Ford Ord., Calif., and his advanced individual training at Fort Riley, Kan. He was then stationed at Fort Riley and also was part of two Reforger exercises in Germany. Specialist Fourth Class Hadler worked as company clerk, tank commander and unit of choice recruiter. He earned the Expert in Rifle and Expert in Grenade awards and was the top graduate in Armor Training.
“I enjoyed my time and experiences in the military,” Hadler wrote.
After his military service, Hadler moved on to other ventures. For the past 18 years, Hadler has been self-employed through his business, Hadler Financial Services. He lives in Loyal with his wife, Patricia. He has three sons, two daughters, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another on the way. He is a
Please see Honor Flight, page 8
Veteran Bruce Hadler is welcomed home by his wife, Pat, upon his return from the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
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member of the Loyal American Legion.
When the Honor Flight opportunity presented itself, Hadler decided to take it.
“I was urged by fellow veterans to go, as veterans we deserved to go and see memorials in D.C. and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” he said.
After a banquet the night before, veterans flew out of the Central Wisconsin Airport Sept. 25 for an all-expense paid full day of sightseeing. They got to see the World War II, Korean and Vietnam memorials; as well as the Lincoln Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial (Marine Corps War Memorial) and Arlington National Cemetery. They received a police escort.
“(We were) treated with so much respect wherever we went,” wrote Hadler.
Some trip highlights for Hadler were the sendoff and arrival at airports, with hundreds of people showing their respect; the sights of Washington, D.C.; and the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He also appreciated the large stack of thank-you letters he received during “mail call” on the plane ride home. After arriving back in Mosinee, the honoring of veterans was far from over. “I couldn’t believe the number of people and organizations there to welcome us home. It brought tears to my eyes and made me feel so honored and thankful!” Hadler wrote. He was grateful that one of his sons got to serve as his guardian on the flight and grateful to have had the experience. The Never Forgotten Honor Flight, established in 2009, is a non-profit organization based out of Wausau. Since its inception, it has flown 4,399 veterans to our nation’s capital. The Honor Flight relies on private and commercial donations, with no government funding. For more information and photos, visit neverforgottenhonorfl ight.com.
Above, veterans view the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Loyal veteran Bruce Hadler said that was one of the most memorable parts of his Honor Flight trip.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Bruce Hadler served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1974.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
