A Sentimental Journey - Allen's Journey

It began as a friendly challenge from Rice Hospice Social Work Program Coordinator Judie Dunlop to Willmar Ambulance Operations Manager Brad Hanson during a March 2011 radio show about the Sentimental Journey program offered to terminally ill hospice patients in the Rice Hospice region.  “Where ever the patient wants to go, we can make it happen,” said Hanson.  Dunlop smiled.  “Well that’s great to hear, Brad, because we have a patient who used to be a pilot and would love to go for one last plane ride.”

“We’ll see what we can do,” Hanson promised.  It took six weeks, but time was on their side.  After sidestepping a few obstacles, Paramedic Brad Swenson secured a plane and a pilot to take Allen Erickson for one last plane ride in a red and white Piper Comanche on April 18, 2011.

Skies were overcast, a perfect morning for flying, as Willmar Ambulance delivered Erickson to the tarmac at Willmar Municipal Airport where the plane, owned and piloted by Brad Louwagie of Marshall, stood by.  The paramedic climbed in the back seat of the single-engine plane before ambulance crews helped Erickson aboard.  Family and friends waved as the plane taxied the runway and lifted off toward St. Cloud.  “This was a dream come true for him,” said his wife, Betty Erickson.  “He was so excited, he just wanted to fly one more time.”

An hour passed before the plane touched down again in Willmar where family and friends lined the tarmac, anxious to see how the journey had gone.  When the airplane door opened, Erickson’s huge grin said it all.

Journey accomplished, Paramedic Brad Swenson summed up the experience that was definitely worth waiting for.  “It went without a hitch and everyone had a smile – that’s our goal.”