WASHINGTON -- There were a few things that set Monday’s Honor Flight apart from others Bill and Evonne Williams have taken to Washington, D.C.
First, the average age of the 135 veterans on the flight was closer to 50. That’s much younger than other flights organized by Patriotic Productions, which since 2008 has flown World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to the nation’s capital.
Second, everybody on the flight was female -- the veterans, volunteers, media members, and even the pilots.
And finally, the group included a celebrity: Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the hit TV show “M*A*S*H.”
But the star of the day was retired First Lt. Edith Petersen. The 98-year-old from Council Bluffs, Iowa, was a nurse in the Pacific theater during World War II.
She was recruited to join the Army after graduating from the University of Iowa, heading first to Fort Riley in Kansas, then San Francisco, and finally New York, before boarding a ship bound for the South Pacific.
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The trip took 30 days. Petersen said she enjoyed it, sunning on the deck while others were seasick.
“I was tough,” she said.

World War II veteran Edith Petersen, 98, of Council Bluffs, Iowa (center) joins other female military veterans at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial on Monday.
Once she arrived in Brisbane, Australia, she and the other nurses in her group were told they had to clean the latrines and lead calisthenics.
“We thought we were going to war,” she said. “Talk about being deflated.”
She eventually was shipped to Sydney, where she worked in the field hospital, taking care of casualties brought in from New Guinea.
“I didn’t work in the surgical hospital, but in the wards, taking care of soldiers as they recovered.”
She later was transferred to the Philippines, and headed home from there the day Japan surrendered.
Though surrounded by veterans on Monday's trip, many made a point to thank Petersen for her service. She was greeted everywhere the veterans ventured Monday -- including the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and especially the World War II Memorial.
The trip, which is free to the veterans, left Omaha at 4 a.m.
A special stop
Over the past decade, Patriotic Productions has sponsored honor flights that have taken more than 3,500 veterans to Washington. The veterans on the honor flights had never visited the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. That is until Monday.

Vietnam veteran Angie Naiman of Hebron reaches out to members of American Heritage Girls that were on hand to greet female military veterans at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in September.
The museum in Arlington National Cemetery honors the nearly 3 million women who have served or are serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Familiar territory
Georgia Kroese of Lincoln frequently goes to Washington for work.
“This is a great trip,” Kroese said.
Kroese, the United States property and fiscal officer for Nebraska, has been with the National Guard for 36 years and has been deployed once.

In 2003, she became the first female to command a unit in Operation Enduring Freedom.
She originally was deployed to Jordan, then was sent to Kuwait. There, her mission was to process all incoming coalition forces.
Despite the war winding down, “it was a lot of work, with long hours.”
The National Guard is male-dominated, so Kroese tells her female troops they have to keep proving themselves.
“Breaking that glass ceiling has taken a lot of time,” she said.
The perfect role
Before taking off for Washington, the veterans were treated to a preflight dinner at a La Vista hotel on Sunday evening. The guest speaker was Swit, who told the crowd of more than 700 that she was proud to be there.
"You (the vets) are the real deal," Swit said. "I'm the 'reel' deal."
She went on to laud the veterans, all of whom volunteered for service.

"M*A*S*H" actress Loretta Swit (left) joins retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught on Monday as they pose with female military veterans from Nebraska at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
"I'm excited to be a part of this. You have seen and experienced things that we've only read about. You should be the ones telling the stories."
Swit accompanied the veterans to Washington on Monday.
"I felt I must do this. It's an incredible opportunity."
Saluting those lost
In Washington, there isn’t a memorial to the Iraq War. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pay tribute to those who gave their life in defense of their country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Terri Craft of Lincoln, a U.S. Army veteran from Operation Desert Storm, paused for a moment of reflection in September at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where the fallen of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are buried.
Section 60 is just a small part of Arlington National Cemetery, covering 14 acres. But it’s a moving reminder that America is still at war. Because it’s there that U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried.
Quilts of Valor
Each of the veterans on Monday's flight was surprised with the gift of a handmade quilt through the group Quilts of Valor.
Three-hundred fifty volunteers in 33 Nebraska counties, and four other states, made more than 200 quilts to give to veterans. Nebraska 4-H groups also helped with the project.
The Quilts of Valor organization has a mission to cover service members and veterans with a quilt.
“Quilts are good for the heart, also for the heat,” Phyllis Schoenholz of the quilt group told the dinner attendees. “It’s not about quilts, but thanking veterans from a grateful nation.”
Organizing the effort
Evonne Williams and her husband, Bill, have done honor flights for 10 years. Evonne said the idea for an all-female honor flight came from her husband two days before Christmas 2017.
When approached with the idea, Evonne didn’t say anything. “Bill walked out and took it as a yes. So here we are,” she said.
For the third straight year, Sandhills Publishing and AuctionTime.com sponsored the flight to Washington.
Volunteer pilots
Both pilots for Monday’s honor flight were thrilled to have the chance to fly the Nebraska veterans to Washington.
Lindsay Dunham of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Suzanne Blair of Zimmerman, Minnesota, are pilots for the charter airline Sun Country. They both are veteran pilots, and jumped at the chance to volunteer for the flight.
“I was so humbly honored and excited to be part of this day,” Dunham said. “It is such a special and inspiring opportunity to transport women who paved the way for generations of women that followed them, for myself, my daughters, and the generations of women to come.”
Blair echoed those sentiments.
“The experience is almost unexplainable. I see their faces and I imagine their lives and experiences and it almost brings tears to my eyes. It is so emotional and special,” she said.
The pilots showed their experience when landing the plane at Eppley Airfield on Monday night. Strong crosswinds on approach led them to pull up and go around to land from another direction. That was much smoother.
The veterans on the flight broke into cheers, then sang “God Bless America.”
When the veterans disembarked, they were met by hundreds of family, friends and supporters. In addition, there was a band, baton twirlers and many veterans.
Edith Petersen was the final veteran to make her way through the crowd. It was a fitting ending to a great day.
Photos from Monday's honor flight
Photos: Female Veterans Honor Flight
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

World War II veteran Edith Petersen, 98, of Council Bluffs, Iowa (center) joins other female military veterans at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial on Monday.
Honor Flight band

Members of the Papillion-area Concert Band give female veterans a rousing sendoff at Eppley Airfield at 3:30 a.m. Monday.
Honor Flight Lorette Swit

Loretta Swit, who starred in the TV series "M*A*S*H," was the guest speaker at the preflight dinner Sunday night in La Vista. She also traveled with the 135 veterans on their honor flight to Washington, D.C., on Monday.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught (left) greets World War II veteran Edith Petersen, 98, of Council Bluffs, Iowa (right) at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial on Monday.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

World War II veteran Edith Petersen, 98, of Council Bluffs, Iowa (center) and her daughter, Peggy Petersen-Owen, walk with an active duty service member at the Marine Corps War Memorial on Monday.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Terri Craft of Lincoln, a U.S. Army veteran from Operation Desert Storm, paused for a moment of reflection in September at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where the fallen of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are buried.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Terri Craft of Lincoln, a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm, embraces Julie Jones, a photographer on Monday's honor flight for female military veterans.
Honor Flight takes Nebraska female veterans to tour Washington, DC

Operation Desert Storm veteran Meg Fricke of Omaha folds her hands as she pauses at the Marine Corps War Memorial on Monday.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Female military veterans (from left) Brittany Bauer of Atkinson, Joyce Thalmann of Omaha and Nicole Schram of Emerson watch Monday's wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Vietnam veteran Angie Naiman of Hebron reaches out to members of American Heritage Girls that were on hand to greet female military veterans at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in September.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Members of the American Heritage Girls organization greet female military veterans from Nebraska at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial on Monday.
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

Female military veterans photograph one of the benches at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Monday.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

World War II veteran Kathleen Briard, 95, of Norfolk, joins fellow female military veterans at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Monday.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

"M*A*S*H" actress Loretta Swit (second from left) poses with participants in Monday's honor flight for female military veterans at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

"M*A*S*H" actress Loretta Swit (left) joins retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught on Monday as they pose with female military veterans from Nebraska at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Female military veterans pose for a group photo at the Marine Corps War Memorial on Monday.
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

Female veterans from Nebraska observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns during an honor flight to Washington in September.
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

Female military veterans from Nebraska gather for a group photo at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial on Monday.
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

Susan Schmidt of Lincoln, a veteran of the global war on terror, photographs a sentry at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Monday.
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

Linnea Sommer Weddington, a veteran of the global war on terror, watches Monday's wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
NEBR FEMALE VETS HONOR FLIGHT

Female military veterans gather to listen to a guide at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Monday.
Honor Flights bring Nebraska Female Veterans to tour Washington, DC

Military veterans Laurie Hostetter of Omaha (left) and Janice Winklepleck of Lincoln are greeted by active duty service members at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Monday.
Honor Flight

Family members were among the first people to welcome home the female veterans Monday night after their one-day trip to Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight

Sue's Stepper-Ettes, a local dance group, and veterans holding flags were among those welcoming home the female veterans Monday at Eppley Airfield.
Honor Flight

Monday's Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., had 135 female veterans, and two service dogs, with Kori Osienger (left) and Sandra Miller, both of Lincoln.
Honor Flight

Evonne Williams (left facing) and her husband Bill and their Patriotic Productions are the driving force behind the Nebraska honor flights.
Honor Flight

Veterans wait for participants in Monday's honor flight to make their way through the crowd at Eppley Airfield.
Honor Flight

Susan Schmidt of Lincoln is greeted by a veteran after Monday's honor flight to Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight

Young women cheer as 98-year-old Edith Petersen goes by Monday night at Eppley Airfield.
Honor Flight

A veteran shakes the hand of 98-year-old Edith Petersen on Sunday night after 135 female veterans returned from a one-day trip to Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight

World War II veteran Edith Petersen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was among 135 veterans who spent Monday in Washington, D.C. The honor flight returned to a cheering crowd at Eppley Airfield.
Honor Flight

After it stopped raining Monday, Nebraska veterans on the honor flight lined up for a group photo at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
Honor Flight

Aaron Faltin documented veterans' stories for the honor flight. Among those he talked with and videotaped was Edith Petersen, a World War II veteran.
Honor Flight

Linda Plock (from left) and Edith Petersen look over the quilts they were presented by the group Quilts of Valor.
Honor Flight

All 135 veterans on Monday's honor flight to Washington received a quilt from the group Quilts of Valor.
Honor Flight

The veterans on Monday's honor flight were greeted by active duty service members at the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Honor Flight

Rachel Blake of Lincoln takes a rubbing from the Vietnam Wall with the help of Ron Carlson. There are more than 79,000 names on the wall.
Honor Flight

Rachel Blake of Lincoln gets a rubbing of the name of her mother's friend off the Vietnam Wall.
Honor Flight

Many of the female veterans on Monday's honor flight visited the Vietnam Veterans Women's Memorial.
Honor Flight

Ninety-eight-year-old Edith Petersen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, the oldest veteran on Monday's honor flight to Washington, D.C., is interviewed by a Washington TV reporter at the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Honor Flight

Veterans look at the graves in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. Section 60 is where many of those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried.
Honor Flight

Dana Fahey adjusts a flower arrangement at a grave in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery. The Air Force officer accompanied the female honor flight veterans during their trip to Washington on Monday. Fahey is stationed at nearby Fort Meade.
Honor Flight

Early Monday morning at Eppley Airfield, the Papillion Area Concert Band played "Suicide is Painless" in honor of Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret Houlihan in "M*A*S*H." Swit (in blue jeans middle right) was the guest speaker at the preflight dinner and accompanied Nebraska female veterans on an honor flight to Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight

The Nebraska Remembering Our Fallen display was set up at the La Vista Convention Center for the honor flight festivities.
Honor Flight

Cheryl Slevin of Lincoln (left) and Jacqueline Demmon of La Vista visited the amphitheater at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
Honor Flight

Sandra Miller of Lincoln and her service dog Emma meet others from the honor flight Monday at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
Honor Flight

Veterans on the honor flight watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. You could tell who the veterans were by their red shirts, black vests and plastic rain ponchos.
Honor Flight

The Air Force Memorial rises above the skyline over the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial in Washington. The 184 victims of the Pentagon terror attack are memorialized with bronze benches. The victims' names are engraved on the edge of the bench. If the edge of the bench faces toward the Pentagon, that person died there. If the name faces away, that person was on American Airlines Flight 77 that crashed into the building on Sept. 11, 2001.
Honor Flight

Nebraska veterans on the honor flight file into the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, where they were treated to lunch.
Honor Flight

The veterans on the honor flight got a quick glimpse of the White House while heading toward the World War II Memorial.
Honor Flight

98-year-old Edith Petersen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, poses with John W. McCaskill at the World War II Memorial. McCaskill is an educator, historian and re-enactor who spends time at the memorial greeting visitors. Petersen was an army nurse in the South Pacific during World War II.
Honor Flight

Nebraska veterans are greeted by re-enactors wearing period uniforms at the World War II Memorial in Washington.
Honor Flight

The World War II Memorial overlooks the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington.
Honor Flight

The Nebraska column at the World War II Memorial was a popular spot for photos. World War II veteran Kathleen Briard (left) of Norfolk was just one of many veterans who had their picture taken there.
Honor Flight

Some of the re-enactors wearing period uniforms at the World War II Memorial.
Honor Flight

Members of the Nebraska female honor flight are reflected in the Vietnam Wall.
Honor Flight

Among the memorials veterans on the honor flight visited was the haunting Korean War Memorial.
Honor Flight

Kathleen Briard of Norfolk greets fellow World War II veteran Edith Petersen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, early Monday before the honor flight to Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight

Nebraska veterans are greeted after their flight arrived at Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C., early Monday morning.