Betty Booker Cordt - LHS Class of 1954

A Korean War veteran from Leavenworth and his son recently were part of the 57th Kansas Honor Flight to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C.
Walter Cordt, 85, and his son, Rod, were among a party of 52 veterans and their guardians on a free trip that honors veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
“They wanted to do it together as father and son,” said Betty Cordt, Walter’s wife and Rod’s mother. “Walter has been wanting to do this so badly.”
Walter Cordt was one of 13 Korean War veterans on the trip.
The group spent two days in Washington, D.C., visiting numerous war memorials. They also visited Arlington National Cemetery and witnessed the changing of the guard ceremony.
They also visited Fort McHenry and the Air Force Missing Man Memorial.
″(Honor Flight) is a wonderful organization,” Betty Cordt said. “The whole thing was just the most marvelous thing for guys who just did their duty.”
At the World War II Memorial, hundreds of school children cheered for them and showed posters to honor them. Several posters had Walter’s name written on them.
“Walter said, ‘We felt like rock stars,’” Betty Cordt said.
By MARK ROUNTREE / mrountree@leavenworthtimes.com