MAILBAG - Honor Flight praise

Recently, my sisters and I had the extreme honor of meeting the returning Stars and Stripes Honor Flight at General Mitchell Field in Milwaukee.

The Honor Flight is an effort started to provide transportation, a visit to, and guides for a one-day flight out and back from the WWII Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Veterans apply for and may be chosen to make this historic flight with funds provided by numerous sources, including our American Legion Post and Auxiliary from Beaver Dam.

Susan, Teri, and I were completely unsure what to expect when we offered to attend the homecoming, but were humbled and delighted to have made the choice to go. At first when we got there, it appeared that only about 15 other people were there, and I was somewhat disappointed in that type of turnout. However, due to bad weather, the flight was delayed and while waiting for the plane to arrive, some 200 or so more people joined us in plenty of time to wish these amazing veterans a sincere welcome home. Our veterans returned to music, a color guard, cheering, balloons, waving flags and banners, as well as heartfelt thanks for their service to our country so long ago. Applause, hugs and handshakes were given freely to these brave men and women as they made their way through the airport terminal toward their waiting families.

Most of these veterans who are making these trips are in their 80’s and some even in their 90’s. Many were in wheelchairs and looked exhausted after the return flight, but all were appreciative to have been able to attend and view that tribute to them. The guides who accompanied them stated that it was an amazing and wonderful experience to be able to fly with these men and women and to assist them in any way they could.

Another Honor Flight is scheduled for Nov. 7 and I urge any of you who are even remotely interested, to please consider meeting this next important and memorable group of veterans as they return home that evening.

The Beaver Dam American Legion Women’s Auxiliary continues to raise funds in an effort to send our fourth and hopefully a fifth (or more!) veteran out to Washington, D.C. for this wonderful opportunity. We have held brat fry events, rummage sales, and other fund-raisers, and are currently holding a holiday dish towel sale in an effort to raise funds. We plan to promote other events in the future to continue to do our part in getting as many vets out to Washington as we can.

Please feel free to contact Mark Grams at the Veterans Service Office in Juneau or me for more information on how to donate to this cause or when and where to attend the next Honor Flight as it brings our veterans back home with pride and respect.