Casco veteran celebrated by Talons Out Honor Flight

The Talons Out Honor Flight mission included a program honoring veterans [photo credit: Heidi Turchan]

Monty Brenner, Casco resident and veteran of the Vietnam War, was flown to Washington D.C. on Saturday October 11, 2025 through the Talons Out Honor Flight program. Accompanied by his grandson, Carson Turchan, Monty Brenner joined eighty other veterans and their guardians/companions on this honor flight from Portage, MI to Reagan International Airport. Then the veterans and volunteers visited war memorials including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. The veterans also visited Arlington National Cemetery.

The purpose of the Honor Flight is to honor and thank veterans, particularly those who served during World War II, or the Korean or Vietnam wars. According to the Talons Out Honor Flight 501(c)3 organization, the organized expedition is to give "veterans a welcome home as they return from 'One Last Mission' by giving them a homecoming they will never forget."

The day-long event concluded at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum. Spouse Cheri Brenner said the welcoming area "was roped off so aisles were open; A 98 year old from World War II" was among those honored. "When they brought the veterans in wheelchairs into the Air Zoo, the veterans were so appreciative, with tears rolling down their faces, because they weren't greeted like that before," she explained.

Monty Brenner, left, with grandson Carson Turchan, was honored for his military service with a visit to Washington D.C. war memorials [photo: Heidi Turchan]

Monty Brenner was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1966, attending Fort Knox for basic training. He then started his military career as a sheet metal apprentice at Fort Benning in 1966. He became a stock records clerk, ordering vehicle parts. Brenner ended up being stationed in Heidelberg Germany for 14 months, completing his service in 1968. Cheri joined him in Germany for his final 11 months overseas.

Monty Brenner, drafted during Vietnam, served in the U.S. Army from October 18, 1966 to September 28, 1968 [photo provided by Heidi Turchan]

The community's poor treatment of Vietnam soldiers is something the Talons Out Honor Flight experience is designed to address. The day-long mission provides a family-oriented "hero's welcome" that enlisted people did not necessarily experience at the time.

Cheri Brenner reflected on her own experience as a young soldier's wife. As a military spouse in 1966, "A draftee's wife had no benefits," Cheri explained. "I worked at the bank and saved money to get to Fort Benning," to join Monty, who was stationed there.

"My car needed a tune-up and Mr. Niffenegger [of Niff's Standard in South Haven] saw that I needed new tires, which I couldn't afford. 'I'll fix your car and you can pay me when you get out,' he said, and we paid him $300 as soon as we got back to the states."

When her husband was transferred to Germany, Cheri returned to South Haven from Fort Benning, because she couldn't afford to fly with him.

"Harold Fritz said, 'you need a job?' and hired me at Citizens' Bank. I worked three months to pay for my plane ticket to Germany," she explained.

US Army Vietnam veteran Monty Brenner enjoyed the flight of honor experience, reporting that he felt well cared for by the volunteers who provided lunch, medical care if needed, and wheelchairs for those who needed them. Monty and Cheri Brenner's daughter Heidi Turchan

nominated her father for the experience.

Vietnam veteran Monty Brenner is welcomed home from Mission 27, the Talons Out Honor Flight, on Oct 11 2025. [photo credit: Heidi Turchan]