Flyovers honoring those on COVID-19 frontlines

Moose Lake was able to enjoy being a part of a statewide effort made by the National Guard to honor those on the COVID-19 frontlines.

On Wednesday, May 13, pilots from the Minnesota National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, and the 133rd Airlift Wing out of Saint Paul, as well as from the Air Force Reserve's 934th Airlift Wing, performed their second round of flyovers of hospitals statewide.

A pair of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flew over Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake as part of their route; C-130 Hercules aircraft were also involved in flyovers elsewhere.

In a release from the National Guard, Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard said the "flyovers were an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. We chose several hospitals as flyover points, but it is truly only a symbolic gesture, as the intent isn't to honor only those facilities, but all the essential workers statewide. Whether you are a medical provider or a meat packing employee; a teacher or gas station attendant; an emergency responder or a garbage collector, your work and the care you provide have kept our state safe and functioning. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice."