In the middle of a snow and ice storm, 52 Vietnam war veterans from Northeast Wisconsin left Menasha High School Sunday on a journey that will lead them back to a land they couldn't wait to leave 50 years ago.
However, this time it's different. Lisa Reno sent off her Father-in-Law, Burt Parkman, telling WTAQ, “Hopefully it brings these guys some closure and they can move forward with the rest of their lives, seeing a country in a different place than they remember it as.”
View the itinerary for the Return to Nam Old Glory Honor Flight:
24 FEB: DEPARTURE
- 06:00am – Arrival/check-in at Menasha High School.
- 07:15am – Depart on Coach Bus to Chicago, O’Hare airport.
- 10:15am – Arrive at O’Hare
- 1:50pm – Flight Departs to Shanghai (Lands 6:50pm on 25 FEB)
25 FEB: IN TRANSIT
- 10:15pm – Flight Departs Shanghai to Saigon (Ho Chi Mihn City)
26 FEB: SAIGON
01:25am – Group arrival in Saigon. At 9.30 a.m: After a western style breakfast, early departure for a full day of seeing the local site including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the old Post Office, the Presidential Palace, the Army Museum and the former location of the US Embassy. We will have lunch in a local restaurant and as a final stop before returning to the hotel we will tour a lacquer factory to watch craftsmen at work.
27 FEB: SAIGON — CUCHI — TAYNINH — SAIGON
This morning we head for the famous Cu Chi Tunnel system. We then continue to the Michelin Rubber Plantation, Lai Khe, Dau Tieng, and Nui Ba Den. As we end the day in Tay Ninh, we will stop to see the fabulous Cau Dai Temple. We end the day back in Saigon where we have an opportunity to enjoy the city at night with dinner on your own
28 FEB: SAIGON — MY THO — SAIGON
Morning departure for the Mekong Delta to board a boat in the quaint provincial town of My Tho and then wind our way through the labyrinth of small canals bordered by tiny villages. On the way to visit AP BAC and drive by the of okd 9th division headquarters. After viewing the endless fields of rice paddies tended by peasants in their traditional conical-shaped hats we transfer to a sampan for a tour of scenic Thoison Island. We will have lunch on the island and view the unique pottery produced on the island. We finish the day by returning to Saigon for some exploration of Saigon’s markets before dinner
1 MARCH: FLIGHT SAIGON/DA NANG — HOIAN
We check out of the hotel and catch a flight to Danang . Visit Danang: Non nuoc beach, Marble mountain. Transfer to Hoian. Visit Hoian and the shops in ancient streets.
2 MARCH: HOIAN — DA NANG — HOIAN
Today we commence touring the Da Nang area to include Elephant Valley, Red Beach, Nam O, Hill 34, Dog Patch for the adventurous, we will climb to the top and see where the VC maintained a secret hospital throughout the war. We will also visit a marble carving shop before touring the ancient city of Hoi An and the many shops there.
3 MARCH: HOIAN — HUE
After an early breakfast, we depart Da Nang for Hue with stops at the Hai Van Pass, Lang Co and Phu Bai Airfield. We will commence a short city tour south of the Perfume River starting at the Phu Cam Canal and ending at Hue University.
4 MARCH: HUE
This day we explore the north side of the Perfume River and discuss the battles for the Citadel and TT woods. We also visit the Forbidden City via the Dong Ba Gate and visit the airfield site within the Citadel. Later we take a short visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda.
5 MARCH: HUE — QUANG TRI
After an early morning departure, we drive north to the DMZ with stops at Camp Evans, and LZs Sharon and Nancy. We briefly stop in Dong Ha and then continue west along Rt 9 with stops at Camp Carroll, Khe Gia Bridge, the Rockpile, Lang Vei and the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Lang Vei was where the NVA first used tanks against the Special Forces Camp.
6 MARCH: QUANG TRI — HUE
An early morning check-out finds us touring Leatherneck Square starting at Cam Lo, “The Washout”, Con Thien, the Market Place, Gio Linh and the blowing of the Dong Ha Bridge. After lunch in Dong Ha we make it back to Hue arriving.
7 MARCH: FLIGHT HUI/HAN — HANOI
Early morning flight to Hanoi VN 1542 (1030/11.45). We start our tour with visits to the Hoa Lo Prison, the John McCain Monument, and the Army Museum.
8 MARCH: HANOI — FLIGHT HAN/SGN
Full day city tour: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum- outside, B52 remain in Ngoc ha, Ethnology museum. P.m: Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son temple, 1-hour cyclo tour in Old Quarters, last minute shopping Late check out at 16.30 pm. GROUP will be transferred to Noibai airport by guide and bus for flight HAN/SGN. Then connect flight to the USA.
9 MARCH: SAIGON — SHANGHAI — USA
- 02:25 am – Flight from Saigon to Shanghai (Lands at 07:05am)
- 11:40 am – Flight from Shanghai to Chicago O’Hare. Flight lands at
- 12:40pm. Customs/ Immigration. Depart on busses to Menasha.
- 6:00 pm – Arrive at Menasha High School
