APPLETON (NBC 26) — After an 18-month hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Old Glory Honor Flight's Mission 54 departed from the Appleton International Airport to Washington, DC Tueday Morning.
Jeffrey Fidler, a Vietnam veteran, is going on the once-in-a-lifetime trip with a group of friends from high school.
"We're all together so we should have a pretty good time," he said. "It's a privilege."
On this mission, Old Glory Honor Flight took 99 veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars to see the memorials built in their honor in the Nation’s Capital.
“We are thrilled to restart our operations after a long pause and are excited to get back to our mission of flying our heroes to DC to see their memorials," said Diane MacDonald, Executive Director of Old Glory Honor Flight. "I think it will be an emotional journey for all involved,”
The Honor Flight trip happens all in one day and is completely free of charge to the veteran to say ‘Thank You’ for their service and sacrifices. The Welcome Home Celebration for the veterans is open to the public, starting at 7:30pm at ATW. All attendees are required to wear masks inside the Appleton International Airport due to current TSA regulations, and parking is free.
Old Glory Honor Flight, a nonprofit who is dedicated to honoring our local war veterans One Mission At A Time, plans to continue to transport veterans from Northeast WI to Washington DC throughout the summer
