SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Korean War Vet Wayne Spars in Sioux Falls says he'll never forget the recent Midwest Honor Program flight to Washington.
But he will also never forget a basement full of apples in Seoul during the war. Those were hungry days.
"It was full of apples. I don't know how they got there or anything else, but I tried to find a good one and I couldn't."
Spars, 86, was an Army Corporal in Korea in 1950-51 and saw action in both South and North Korea.
"We lost about 20 percent of our personnel, wounded or killed and I feel like I was very lucky. Neither one of them happened to me."
Spars was one of 45 South Dakota vets honored in the Nation's Capitol this week.
"It was awesome. I have never experienced anything like that before in my life." Spars says there were hundreds of school children to welcome them at the airport terminal, waving flags, handing out candy, and just thanking all the Midwest veterans for their service.
Spars says he met a World War II vet on his tour bus from South Dakota, in his 90s, who had never been on a plane before this honor flight.
The South Dakota vets also got a hearty welcome home when they got back to Sioux Falls.
