MOSINEE, WI (WSAU) - Another planeload of veterans are on their way Monday to see their memorials in Washington D.C. Honor Flight’s second trip this spring is taking 99 service men and women out and back today. Organizer Jim Campbell says this time, they have 3 World War II vets, 95 Korean war vets, and one from the Vietnam war.
Campbell says veterans that haven’t made the trip yet should apply, because the flights fill up. He says they’re starting to get more Korean era veterans, but any World War II applicants would go first in line. Campbell says one of the biggest misconceptions about Honor Flight is that it’s only for combat veterans. He says no, it is for all veterans of the era no matter where Uncle Sam told you to serve. “The fact of the matter is that in those three major conflicts, about one out of ten actually saw combat. Ninety percent were in the support roles.”
Many of the veterans stayed in a hotel Sunday night and had a dinner together before the big day. Campbell says the plane leaves early. “The plane takes off this morning at, we call it, oh-dark-thirty. We tell them to be here by 4:30 a.m. and they’re usually here by 4:00 a.m. The plane launches at about 6:30 in the morning.” It will be a busy day. Campbell says the schedule is packed from the time they hit the ground. “We’ll hit D.C. and have three buses waiting for us, and we’ll take off on our tour of the memorials.”
Veterans receive a free round-trip flight. Guardians pay $500 for the opportunity to accompany one or two veterans on the trip. There’s 54 guardians on this flight to assist the vets. They will arrive back at Central Wisconsin Airport after 8:30 p.m. Monday night.
Veterans and guardians interested in taking a future Honor Flight must complete an application at their website or contact the organization at 715.573.8519. or contact Jim Campbell, Never Forgotten Honor Flight 715-573-9496.