SVI Media’s Dan Dockstader spoke with local veteran Major Leron H. Allred, USAF, about his service and recent trip with the Honor Flight.

(0:00) SBI Media in the home of LeBron Allred today just outside of Afton. LeBron, you were recently chosen (0:06) for the honor flight as a veteran. First of all, before we talk about the honor flight, (0:11) tell us about your title in the military.

I was retired as a major (0:19) U.S. Air Force command pilot and I was in for 20 years. Serving in multiple locations? Yes, (0:30) three times in Texas, two times in Alaska, two times in Florida, one time in Utah, (0:42) one time in Nevada, and one time in a combat assignment out of Thailand. That had (0:53) very challenging situations where you’re actually in combat and rescuing people and (0:58) coordinating all of that.

Along the way, you received several honors. Tell us about those. (1:04) Yes, in Thailand, I received a distinguished flying cross and four air medals.

In Alaska, (1:17) I received two air medals. They were all for rescue. You came back home retired, (1:27) you took over the family farm in Star Valley and back in the home where you originally (1:32) grew up in and raised a family here and of course in the military assignments too.

Along the way, (1:39) in retirement, they call you up and say, we want to bring you on to the honor flight. Tell us what (1:43) that is. They invited me to attend.

It’s for veterans and they fly you to Washington, D.C. (1:57) and give you a good tour, a day-long tour of Washington, D.C. and all the monuments (2:06) and so forth that are on display there. Among those monuments, those who served in various (2:12) places in World War II, Vietnam, Korea, all of that. Yes, yes.

What were you most impressed with (2:20) during that visit? You know, the World War II veterans, they’re just rows and rows of graveside (2:33) or rather crosses or markers. The cemetery is in Arlington, Virginia. (2:47) Very impressive.

It really is a heartthrob to see all of that. (2:52) Especially where you served as well. Yes.

What did you gain most out of your service? (2:59) A satisfaction. I was a helicopter pilot. Maybe I mentioned that earlier.

(3:07) As such, my mission was a rescue mission. We saved lives, whereas other combat aircraft (3:17) did the opposite. So, I had a very rewarding experience for 20 years in the Air Force.

(3:30) Toward the end of my career, my father had passed away. My mother was trying to run the ranch. (3:36) I needed to get home.

So, 20 years in one day, I was out of the Air Force and back (3:44) as soon as I could get here, back to the Star Valley and back home. (3:50) Helping with family operations. Yes.

As we close out here, what does Veterans Day mean to you? (3:56) What does the honor flight mean to you? What does service to your country mean to you? (4:02) Just about everything. You know, we got one of the most wonderful nations in the world. (4:09) All the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy here is guaranteed by the Constitution.

(4:17) I pray every day that our Constitution be preserved and that we can become united (4:25) again. That would be a wonderful time, a wonderful day that that should happen. (4:33) Thank you.

LeBron Allred, Veteran, Dan Dockstader, SBI Media.