Almost a hundred veterans are departing from Central Wisconsin Airport Monday on an Honor Flight.
As North Central Wisconsin Honor Flight Co-founder Jim Campbell says, the one-day trip to DC starts before dawn.
“Monday morning at 0-dark thirty, they head out to the airport. Most of the veterans are there by 0500. And we launch out around 7 o’clock in the morning.”
The day includes a whirlwind tour of the city’s monuments…including the World War II, Marine, Airforce and Korea-Vietnam Memorials. They also see the changing of the guard at Arlington.
Campbell says the trip is a deeply emotional experience for many.
“I can’t tell you how many veterans that are in their eighties and nineties have told us it’s been the most spectacular trip of their life. Many of them have told me it’s been the best day of their life. They get to rekindle some old friendships. They get to relive some of the good times that they had.”
Campbell says the trip can also give veterans an opportunity to start talking about their wartime experiences.
93 of the veterans traveling today served in Korea, two in World War II and one in Vietnam.
Campbell says veterans need not have seen active combat. They need only have served during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam eras.
After today’s trip, the North Central Wisconsin Honor Flight will have taken over 1600 veterans to DC.
