Meet Our Team
These volunteers are dedicated to our veterans to ensure they see their memorials free of charge, safely.
AARON VAN BEEK, President & Director |
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Aaron Van Beek, President & Director of Midwest Honor Flight, is currently attending Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa for Elementary & Middle School Education. Fall 2017 will mark his senior year with involvement with the Dordt Choral program as well as the Dordt Men's Basketball and Baseball teams. A member of the Sons of the American Legion and an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Sioux Center Boy Scouts, Aaron gives much of his time back to the community. He also serves as President & Director for Sioux Center Wreaths Across America and Director for Leadership & Citizenship Focus.
Aaron saw a need in Northwest Iowa, Southeast South Dakota, and Southwest Minnesota - veterans were not having the time or the funds to see their memorials in Washington, D.C. In 2017, he started the Midwest Honor Flight program through the Honor Flight Network. This was the first Honor Flight to allow South Dakota* Korean and Northwest Iowa veterans to fly to DC under the care and supervision of Honor Flight Guardians. "They answered the call to serve our country and those around the globe. It's now our duty to get them out to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials dedicated to their service and fellow comrades." |
REV. CORY VAN SLOTEN, Vice President |
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Reverend Chaplain (Captain) Cory Van Sloten, a third generation Veteran, currently serves as chaplain for the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, under the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard. He has been in the Iowa Army National Guard for twenty-four years and previously served as an Infantryman, a Motor Transport Operator, and a Chaplain Candidate. He deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2004-2005 as a Motor Transport Operator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror where he was awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Army Commendation Medal.
A native of Ireton, Chaplain Van Sloten resides in Maurice with his wife Arla and three of their four children: Drew, Justine, and Dryce. Their oldest son Devin lives in Rock Valley. He is a graduate of Ireton Christian School, Unity Christian High School, Dordt College, and Western Theological Seminary. His primary vocational calling is serving as pastor of Lebanon Christian Reformed Church of rural Sioux Center. “Honor Flights are one of the best ways that I know of to honor our Veterans for their service and sacrifice to our nation." |
JENNA HORSTMAN
Marketing Coordinator
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ELAINE LEUSINK
Welcome Home Coordinator
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CHRIS VAN BEEK
Medical Coordinator
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MATTHEW VOLKER
Social Media Coordinator
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We need Honor Flight Ambassadors for communities in Iowa, South Dakota, & Minnesota - JOIN OUR TEAM!
What's an Ambassador's Role?
- Promote the Midwest Honor Flight program to veterans in your selected area
- Promote Midwest Honor Flight fundraising events
- Contact local businesses for financial support for our veterans
- Assist at events as much as you are able
- Be present, if able, at the registration and especially the Welcome Home Ceremony on flight day
Interested? Send an email to our President & Director, Aaron Van Beek, if you are interested at midwesthonorflight@gmail.com.
*South Dakota Honor Flight was in existance from 2009 - 2011 and took many WWII veterans out to Washington DC. Korean veterans now have this same opportunity through Midwest Honor Flight.
