DANANG, VIETNAM (WTAQ) – 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans are in their last week of a special Old Glory Honor Flight tour.
There are many reasons why these men wanted to come back to a place where life or death was a minute to minute reality. But for one veteran this return visit is something he’s been planning for nearly 50 years.
Jim Langner did his hitch in Vietnam from 1967-to-68. Like most of the others on this journey, he saw plenty of bloodshed and lost friends. But two years out of the Army Langner knew one thing.
“I just had a real urge to go back to Vietnam”
But why? What was there about this war-torn land that held so much appeal?
“I was just trying to get back to where I felt was reality. It might not be all good but I really liked the Vietnamese people.”
It wasn’t a knock on his home state of Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin is a very nice place, but it’s very away from the rest of the world. Away from what’s really happening.”
For years Langner tried to come back, but for one reason or another couldn’t get into the country. Until now.
“Then I gave up on the whole thing. Then I had this opportunity to go with the Honor Flight.”
Barely a week into the trip, Langner feels comfortable in the surroundings, despite all the changes in the past half-century.
“Here I am and I’m back. It feels really good, feeling the atmosphere. I could just sit in a chair and watch traffic go by all day.”
The Neenah resident says if he was 20 years younger he would stay.
The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5 pm.
Follow the stories, interviews, pictures, and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the ‘Return To Vietnam’ hub at wtaq.co.
