b'RON KAPP: HONOR FLIGHTIt was an honor to be part of Ron Kapps Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., alongside his son, Dan. Ron proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and this flight gave him the chance to stand before the memorials built to honor his generations service and sacrifice. Since 2017, Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois has carried more than 1,200 veterans to our nations capital for this powerful experience. Were grateful for Rons service, for Dans support and for all those who make these flights possible.DOUG FLATH: LAYING THE GROUNDWORK THAT SHAPES THE FUTUREDoug Flath stays grounded, even when hes flying aSurveying became his long-term home. Doug drone. It comes with the territory when youre a landeventually took over the internal survey crew and surveyor. But that title only scratches the surface.helped usher in new technology like GPS, robotics and Over more than 30 years at The Korte Company,drone mapping. He laid out complex sites, including Doug has worked on more than 1,000 projects as athe memorable Boeing Leadership Center overlooking surveyor, environmental manager, stormwater expert,the Missouri River, where precision mattered at every mentor and problem solver. Most days, hes the firststep. For Doug, the work always came back to the one on site, mapping the land before the work begins.same idea: if the layout is right, everything that follows Sometimes, hes called back years later to retrace it allhas a fighting chance.and help make things right.In 2013, a major heart attack slowed him down but That path started early. Doug grew up in Collinsville,didnt stop him. While recovering, Doug found new Illinois, watching construction equipment from the yardways to contribute, writing environmental plans and pushing Tonka trucks through the dirt. He knewand launching The Korte Companys first wellness he didnt want a desk job. After trying engineering,program. Today, hes back in the field, balancing he found his fit in construction management, wherelayout, compliance and technology with the same building stayed hands-on and real. He joined The Kortesteady approach hes always had. Hes not ready to Company in 1994 before he even graduated, earninghang it up yet. As long as theres work to do, Doug will his place by learning from veteran tradespeople whilekeep showing upwhether that means boots in the introducing new surveying tools and methods thatdirt or a drone in the air.helped crews build smarter and faster.94 95'