Rummage sale raising funds for our local veterans

BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — The warm weather has people looking for deals, but a local rummage sale is more than just the steals.

“I usually look for furniture to refinish or some treasures I didn’t know I needed,” said one rummage sale shopper, Chelsea White.

But shoppers at this rummage sale in Bismarck are here for more than the deals.

“It all goes for a good cause it goes to the honor flight,” said Rex Sisco, an Air Force Veteran.

“Most of the items are free or good will donation. 100% of our proceeds go to our honor flight. So, our next honor flight will be September 29 and 30 and so every penny that we make this weekend is going to make that better for those veterans this fall,” said Shelly Steinwand, the Board President of Western ND Honor Flight.

The Western ND Honor flight takes Veterans from across our state to Washington D.C. There, they get a tour of the nation’s capital and through The Veteran’s Memorial Park.

“It was just unbelievable I’ve never been treated that good. Ever. Since I’ve been back from Vietnam,” said Arlan Voge, a Vietnam Veteran.

“It was a wonderful trip. It was quick but you get to see a lot of stuff. We got police escorts throughout the whole city of D.C. Everywhere we went motorcycles just like the President. Yes, we had that it was great,” said Sisco.

There were around 100 people that went on the trip in April, and those who went say it was more than just the royal treatment and sight-seeing. It was about the comradery.

“Well, veterans talking to veterans. That’s the big deal. You can talk to anybody in the world, but when you get to talk to another veteran, you get to express yourself,” said Voge.

“On the bus, you get to visit with the guys from different parts of the country different things they have done. A few of them have retired. A lot of them were just 2-to-4-year guys but you know, we really had a lot of things in common we had a good time visiting with them. It was good comradery. It was fun,” said Sisco.

“We hope there’s a lot of healing that takes place for them because it’s an emotional experience for them, it’s emotional for all of us. So, we try to provide healing for them and give them the welcome home that they never had,” said Steinwand.

So, if you want to, the rummage sale lasts until Saturday afternoon, and it’s located at 3600 High Creek Road in Bismarck. It will be open again Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I’d tell people absolutely come down. Support a good cause. Find some good things you need. Help out our veterans,” said White.

“It goes to honor your veterans. The feelings that we come back with are wonderful. I mean, it’s just unbelievable. We never got treated like that when we got home. But now we are,” said Voge.

If you missed out on the rummage sale this weekend, and still want to donate, head to their website. There, you can also learn how to sign yourself or a loved one up for the ND Honor Flight.