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Veteran dies on Honor Flight return

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By JOE DUGGAN / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Jul 09, 2008 - 01:40:20 pm CDT

Donald Dragoo spent Tuesday seeing the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., as a veteran on the Heartland Honor Flight.

But the 91-year-old Army veteran from Lincoln died about 20 minutes before the return plane touched down at Lincoln Municipal Airport.

Bill Williams of Omaha, one of the main organizers of the flight, said Dragoo slumped over and became unresponsive at about 8:40 p.m.

Story Photo
Donald Dragoo and his daughter, Cindy Slone, attend the kick-off dinner at Memorial Stadium Monday for the second Heartland Honor Flight. Dragoo, 91, died Tuesday during the return flight from Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photo)

Related Link(s):


Honor Flight: Seeing memorial 'means everything'

One of the two physicians who accompanied the flight attended to him, and Lincoln paramedics were ready when the plane arrived, but nothing could be done, Williams added.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Dragoo is the first veteran to die out of about 5,000 veterans who’ve participated on Honor Flights nationally, Williams said.

Dragoo’s daughter, Cindy Slone of Lincoln, accompanied him on the flight Tuesday and was with him when he passed away, Williams said.

Dragoo had been in fragile health, Williams said. He had been scheduled to go on the first flight in May, but had to cancel because of health issues.

Dragoo used an oxygen concentrator throughout the day Tuesday. The device was provided by his family physician, Williams said.

Flight organizers leave it to the discretion of the veterans, their families and their family doctors to decide whether a veteran should participate. They are not asked to sign a release, Williams said.

Williams did not think the death would prompt changes, such as pre-flight health screenings.

Dragoo served with the 3rd Armored Division in the European Theater.

Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.


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Rest in Peace Hero wrote on July 8, 2008 10:27 pm:
" Although very sad...how touching! I thank this man for all of his service and I am thanful he was able to pass peacefully after a wonderful trip amongst fellow heroes who have helped make America the free land it is. So thank you hero...may you rest in peace. "

 Bill wrote on July 8, 2008 10:27 pm:
" The WWII Memorial in DC is long overdue. I am happy to see these Honor Flight giving so many deserving Vet an oportunity to make this trip. Thank you to "America's Greatest Generation".

Although traumatic for the man's family, I'm sure in time, his daughter would not trade this trip for anything. "

 JPC wrote on July 8, 2008 10:31 pm:
" My prayers are with this hero & his family. "

 Judy wrote on July 8, 2008 10:35 pm:
" Thank you dear soldier for your service to our Country. I am so glad that he was able to make the trip. May God bless him and his family. "

 Mike wrote on July 8, 2008 10:59 pm:
" What a touching story that he got to see the memorial right before his passing. I second the sentiments given by the other comments. God Bless him and his family. "

 Im sure he died a happy man wrote on July 8, 2008 11:12 pm:
" Getting to see the memorial honoring him and his fellow WWII servicemen just before the man died is not that sad. I'm guessing he held on to life just to experience that very moment. My grandfather passed away recently and I know he would have been absolutely thrilled to see that memorial. Death is a part of life, so what a way to go. If that is too harsh for people, tough! "

 Fred wrote on July 8, 2008 11:22 pm:
" I guess he had seen all the war he needed to see. God bless him and his daughter. Thank God for his service or we might all be speaking German. "

 Rhonda wrote on July 8, 2008 11:31 pm:
" Such bittersweet story, Our thoughts and prayer's to the family of this hero. Thank you for serving our country...may you rest in peace.God Bless you. "

 Matt wrote on July 9, 2008 12:00 am:
" I want to thank this gentleman for all his service for our country and am glad he was able to visit the memorial which has been long overdue. God Bless "

 jc wrote on July 9, 2008 1:08 am:
" Thank you to him and famly "

 RIP wrote on July 9, 2008 2:06 am:
" Semper Fi my friend. "

 MP wrote on July 9, 2008 4:03 am:
" Rest in Peace. Thank you for your service to keep us free. I'm glad your last memory will be see something that is a tribute to you hard work. Bless you and your family. "

 DML wrote on July 9, 2008 7:14 am:
" Thank you to our fallen hero! May he rest in peace. Thanks to all our veterans. "

 Amanda wrote on July 9, 2008 7:48 am:
" I spoke to a veteran who went on the first Honor Flight, and he said he could now die a happy man. I hope it was the same for Mr. Williams. "

 God Bless our Heros wrote on July 9, 2008 8:03 am:
" These once very young men served our country and were long over due for a Memorial, long over due for many thing this country should have gave them!
Many soldiers leave behind their Wife, Children and Lives to serve for our country, Some return never to be the same again!

I am glad he made it to see the Memorial, although many veterans never made it that far, Thank God he did!

Rest in Peace my friend, Rest in Peace! "

 great life lived wrote on July 9, 2008 8:07 am:
" What a way to go. With your daughter by your side and seeing a memorial to your life of service to your country just hours before. Not many of us will ever get a memorial dedicated to us, let alone see it before we pass on. 91 years.... a great long life full of memories. I only wish I could be so lucky. "

 john wrote on July 9, 2008 8:07 am:
" I think it would be a fitting tribute if as many as possible could take an american flag and form a flag corridor outside the entrance to his church. It would be our way of saluting him and his service to our country. "

 Deb wrote on July 9, 2008 8:24 am:
" May you rest in peace. My prayers go out to the family. Thank you for defending our country and giving us what we have today. God bless. "

 angela wrote on July 9, 2008 9:10 am:
" Very touching! "Thank you for your service Mr. Dragoo." Prayers for Donald and his family! "

 William Synnott wrote on July 9, 2008 9:16 am:
" Rest in Peace and thank you. "

 God Bless You. wrote on July 9, 2008 9:45 am:
" May you rest in peace, Mr Dragoo. I'm glad your final day was such an amazing experience. Prayers to your family and loved ones. "

 Sss wrote on July 9, 2008 9:47 am:
" Thank you and God Bless!! "

 Curly wrote on July 9, 2008 10:38 am:
" Rest in peace hero!! that about sums it up. What a wonderful life and last adventure to experience god bless him and his family. "

 Shane wrote on July 9, 2008 11:16 am:
" Prayers and thank you to the entire Dragoo Family. I saw the veterans when they returned and they seemed very excited and satisfied with the entire trip. I hope our hero Mr. Dragoo passed away with the same feelings, as well as the feeling that his committment to the freedom of our nation was worth every minute. God Bless the Dragoo family. "

 VA Family wrote on July 9, 2008 11:25 am:
" We welcomed you to DC at the airport. We are honored to have met you. May you rest in peace. "

 troy wrote on July 9, 2008 11:49 am:
" thank you for your service "

 Am touched wrote on July 9, 2008 12:43 pm:
" In this day of complaints, which seem to be the norm, a thoughtful touching story appears and resets the tone. I have heard these men ramble for hours as my dad is WWII. They are proud of what they have accomplished and honestly they don't miss a detail. So for them, that time in their lives were very meaningful, honored and cherished. In memory of not just one, but all that has served. May this article be an example of heroism, honor, trust and everything we should be standing for. "

 Rick wrote on July 9, 2008 12:46 pm:
" This story fills my heart with sadness, joy and pride.

Sadness for the family and their loss, my prayer goes out for them.

Joy in knowing this man of honor was given the opportunity to visit the memorial.

Pride for these men and women of honor and the sacrifices they have made or endured in their lifetimes.

It is important for us to remember our heroes and pass this on to the generations to come.

Thank you. "

 Linda wrote on July 9, 2008 3:08 pm:
" You came to this world to make it a little safer for me and mine. For this I thank you and am deeply touched that on your last day you were honored for that which you and so many others have given to us, our freedom.

God Bless You and every veteran. Rest in Peace........... "

 vanessa wrote on July 9, 2008 3:36 pm:
" Thank you for your service! God bless your family through this hard time. "

 Mandi wrote on July 9, 2008 4:38 pm:
" I went to the WWII Memorial a few years back when it first opened. I was there the opening weekend. I went in honor of my Grandpa who didn't live to see the amazing memorial to his service. My Grandma (his wife) was with me and my Dad, as well. We just knew how much he would have loved it. My heart goes out to this family. This story broke my heart yet made me smile at the same time...I just know how happy he must have been to be able to see the Memorial thus making his dreams complete. My deepest sympathy to the family and friends. "

 rj wrote on July 9, 2008 5:10 pm:
" Thank God he was able to see the Memorial ! I hope that when our young soldiers, who have fought wars in the past 20 years, will be as honored as the Greatest Generation veterans. "

 beatrice wrote on July 9, 2008 5:34 pm:
" Glad he got to see the memorial before he passed on he is a hero god bless the family and be proud what ur father did "

 Jamie wrote on July 9, 2008 10:04 pm:
" My heart goes out to Mr. Dragoo's family at their loss. At the same time I hope they take comfort in the the fact that their father is a hero and patriot for our country. I express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Dragoo and all the veterans for their service and will be making a contribution to the Honor Flight so more can have this experience. "

 Thank you Mr. Dragoo wrote on July 10, 2008 4:13 am:
" As sad as it is that this war hero died, maybe that is what he was waiting for. Maybe he wanted to see the memorial before he died and his request to God was fullfilled and he died a happy man. Thank you Mr. Dragoo for protecting and serving for me. As for the Dragoo family, my thoughts and prayers. He is a TRUE hero and you are very lucky to have him in your life. "

 matt wrote on July 10, 2008 6:33 am:
" Thank you for your service Mr.Dragoo. You are truly a hero to many. Our hearts go out to his family. This is a terrible loss for them. I know they can take comfort that they were blessed with a great father. I was, and I just lost mine too. "

 Grim Reaper wrote on July 10, 2008 9:53 am:
" What a perfect way for a 91 year old WW2 vet to go. "

 Thank you.... wrote on July 10, 2008 3:03 pm:
" for what you have done to make this country so great. A true example of a real hero. May you live on thru our freedom. "

 Tommye wrote on July 11, 2008 5:00 pm:
" What can a guy say. The young man was 91 years old, probably saw it all, been there done that. But this flight to see the Memorial was probably the biggest event of his life, something to show him and his comrades that they were truly not forgotten. A final chapter to this mans long and wonderous life on this planet. And to get to spend it with a family member, she's probably heard stories on this trip she had never heard before. Precious moments with Dad. Cindy and family my sincere condolences are with you. Thank you for being the siblings of a HERO. Rest in piece Don, we'll take over the watch from here. Thank you for your service. "

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