KFGO's Robbie Daniels, spoke with Bernie, next to the Vietnam Memorial Wall:

 

Bernard J. “Bernie” McKigney
US Army // ND National Guard
SP5 // 1SG

I grew up in Dougherty, Iowa and now call Moorhead, Minnesota home. I was drafted by the Army and served on active duty from July 1968 through May 1970. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, I became an infantryman with the 11th Inf. Bde. Americal Div. We saw time in Vietnam; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Wurzburg, Germany. Surviving an explosion while in Vietnam and earning a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal are things I’m so grateful for.

After active duty, I taught music in the Pelican Rapids schools for eight years. I then joined the Guard, playing clarinet and serving as company clerk in the 188th Army Band. In 1978 I became the band’s full-time technician and would retire in 2003. I continued civilian work as a delivery driver and meter reader for Cass County Electric. I still work part-time for Menards and the Fargodome events.

My wife and I married in 1970. I’ve been fortunate to be able to teach my niece and nephews in school over the years. I so enjoy music in my free time, both playing and directing for two Veterans Bands. I also enjoy working on our hobby farm near Middle River. 

I am a member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV, Americal DIV, and VVA.

Learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. 

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While on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C., Joel Heitkamp sits down with Einer "Phil" Wold. 

Phil is from Grace City, ND and now calls Calvin his home. He served in the Marine Corps on active duty from 1966 through 1969. He served as a Motor Vehicle Operator in Chu Lai, Vietnam, and later was stationed at El Toro Air Base in California.

After discharging from the Marines, he drove truck for the rest of his working days and is now happily retired. 

Phil is a member of th Brumwell-Gray American Legion Post 276 in Sarles. 

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Joel Heitkamp sits down with Roger Olmstad while in Washington, D.C. on the Veterans Honor Flight.

Roger was born in Grand Forks, ND and still lives in the area. He was drafted by the Army and served from March 1968 through October 1969. When he finished basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne working as a medic. He received a Soldier's Medal for his time in Vietnam, pulling a downed pilot out from under his helicopter. 

After his time in the Army, he started a construction company and worked in carpentry for many years. 

Learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. 

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Joel sits down with Gary Guggenberger while in Washington, D.C. with the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN. 

Gary grew up in Cold Spring, MN and now lives in Bemidji, MN. He joined the Army and served from 1968 through 1976. After completing basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he then spent time with the 1st Logistical Command 48th Group 6th Transportation Battalion 352nd Transportation Company. He saw time in Long Binh, Vietnam where he was a 5-ton truck driver. For four years, he was a prisoner of war, being released on February 12,1973.

When he got out of the military, he moved to Colorado to become a fishery technician for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. He retired in 2002 after 26 years on the job. 

He is a member of the VFW Post 1260, American Legion Post 14, DAV Chapter 7, and serves as the Bemidji Veterans Memorial Chairman. 

If you would like to learn more or donate to the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN, you can check out their website here. 

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Joel is joined by Gary "G-Man" Gullicks while in Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight. 

Gary grew up in Palermo, ND and now lives in Grand Forks. He was drafted by the Army and was off to basic training in May 1968. He was assigned to Company C 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, seeing time in Vietnam and completed his time with the military in 1969. 

After he got out of the Army, he worked at the water treatment plant for years and is now retired. 

He is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the VFW in Westhope, the American Legion in Stanley, and the DAV in Minot. 

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Joel Heitkamp joined the Veterans Honor Flight, and is joined by Bob Glen.

Bob was born, raised, and still lives in Badger, MN. He was drafted in October 1966, and served until June 1968. He spent basic training at Fort Bliss, TX and worked as a bulldozer operator, clearing brush 100 meters wide on each side of the road. He was stationed in Bearcat, Vietnam. 

After the Army, he farmed and was the head of maintenance at Badger Public Schools for 30 years. 

Bob is a member of the American Legion, a life member of the VFW, and enjoys being part of the Military Honor Guard. 

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Joel Heitkamp sits down with Wendell Affield while on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C.

Wendell grew up and still resides in Bemidji, MN. When he was 17 years old, he enlisted in the Navy and served from 1965 through 1969. He completed basic training in San Diego, CA, and served two years on the USS Rogers DD 876. In 1967, he transferred to the Mobile Riverine Force, which was a combined Army and Navy unit. In August 1968, he was wounded in an ambush and was medevacked home. 

After his discharge from the Navy in 1969, he worked in a butcher shop. In 2001, he retired from that and began studying the writing craft at a university. He wrote his first book, "Muddy Jungle Rivers" about his time in Vietnam. He then wrote three more books dealing with mental health, PTSD, and familial relations. 

He is a life member of the DAV, VVA, and MOPH. He also is a member of the American Legion and Veterans Writer Group. 

Check out Wendell's books and purchase your own copy on his website. 

Learn more about and donate to the Veterans Honor Flight on their website. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While on the Veterans Honor Flight in Washington, D.C., Joel is joined by Lanny Moore. 

Lanny Moore grew up in Williston, ND and now lives in Grand Forks, ND. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and left home in July 1965. After graduating basic training, he joined the 1st Brigade 11th Aviation 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, and later with the 173rd Helicopter Company. In July 1967, his time was up with the Army and he headed back to the United States. 

Once out of the Army, he attended Minot State University and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts. 

Learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joel is joined by Leo Ackerman while on the Veterans Honor Flight in April 2025. 

Leo was born and raised in Hillsboro, ND and still lives there today. He joined the National Guard in 1965 and served until 1971. He spent his basic training at Fort Polk, LA and was then assigned to the 141st Engineering Battalion, Co. B. He was part of the team that built the runway at Hector International Airport in Fargo, ND. 

After his discharge, he was a JD Mechanic and went into farming. He is a member of the American Legion in Hillsboro. 

You can learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. 

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While on the April 2025 Veterans Honor Flight, Joel sits down with Jim Hagen to talk about the flight and his service. 

Jim is from Northwood, ND and still lives there today. He was drafted and then volunteered for the Air Force, and served from March 1971 through March 1975. He spent basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, and was then assigned to the 319th at Grand Forks AFB. He worked on the Minuteman Missile System and Emergenc Maintenance Team while there. He received a Commendation Medal for his work. 

After his discharge, he co-owned a parts store and gas station, and worked as an aircraft flight simulator technician. 

Learn more about the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN on their website. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.