News: Clark Co. – Honor Flight for Four Vets (2018)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Lloyd, Grutzik, Thompson, Campbell, Kohlbeck, Overlien, Kummer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/10/2018

Never Forgotten Honor Flight (Four Vets Take - 2018)

Thanks to Bev’s Saddle Mound, four more will take the Honor Flight

Bev’s Saddle Mound Tap owners Bev (center) and Eddy (third from left) Lloyd recently donated $2,000 to the never Forgotten Honor Flight. Bev said it’s her friends through the years and those attending Pray Days in September that helped make the donation possible. “Without my friends, I wouldn’t have been able to do this,” shared Bev. Pictured with the Lloyds is Brad Overlien, Never Forgotten Honor Flight co-founders Mike Thompson (second from left) and Jim Campbell (third from right), Pittsville American Legion Post 153 Commander Marv Kummer and Jim Grutzik. (Photo by JoDee Brooke/Banner Journal)

By JoDee Brooke

Bev Lloyd’s father, two brothers and son all served in the military. So, it wasn’t difficult for her to make the decision to help out veteran projects like The Highground in Neillsville and the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

Bev and her husband Eddy Lloyd have owned Bev’s Saddle Mound Tap for over 16 years. “I’m here every day, seven days a week,” shared Bev. “This isn’t a job to me. There are just so many nice people, and it’s my friends that help me be able to do this.”

Bev takes a portion of all the activities she plans for Pray Days, held each year in September, and donates the money, sometimes to The Highground and this year to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

“She’s a Friend of the Highground,” shared friend Jim Grutzik, as Bev shrugged at his mention of it. “Well, it’s part of what you do, Bev; not enough people know about it.”


It’s just that I love all the veterans,” she shared. “They deserve it. Without them, we wouldn’t have what we’ve got.”

The Never Forgotten Honor Flight is a not-for-profit organization of dedicated volunteers providing veterans with closure, gratitude and respect by flying them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials. Priority is given to senior veterans – World War II-era, followed by Korea-era and, lastly, Vietnam-era. Each era will fly on a first-come first-served by the date of their application. This trip is absolutely free for the veterans, because of the financial assistance provided through donations.

There ae four flights each year – in April, May, September and October (when weather is the nicest). Currently, WWII, Korean and Vietnam-era veterans are being taken on the honor flight.

Co-founders of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight Mike Thompson and Jim Campbell traveled to Pray last week to accept Bev’s donation.

“This will allow for three more veterans to make the trip,” shared Mike.

“Actually, it’s four more veterans,” explained Bev. “The donation is $2,000 and each flight costs $500.”

“It’s an unbelievable experience,” shared Marvin Kohlbeck, Pittsville American Legion Post 153 adjutant, “I was able to go on a flight, and it’s amazing how many obituaries say, ‘One of the highlights of his life was being on the Honor Flight.’”

Bev is quick to note, “Without my friends, I would not be able to do this.”

For more information on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, call 715-573-8519 or 715-218-7711 or email m.thom2114@gmail.com.