PHOTO: Old Glory Honor Flight
GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A partnership is celebrating 17 years of honoring Northeast Wisconsin veterans.
Old Glory Honor Flight and Appleton International Airport announced Tuesday four missions for 2025 to fly area veterans to Washington D.C. to see monuments built in their honor.
With the support of the community, the partnership has honored more than 6,600 veterans over the years.
“I know that this is done across the country but here in Northeast Wisconsin it has been exceptional because for how long, we’re going into the 17th year, and how turnout and how participation is always at or top what was experienced across the country,” Outagamie County executive Tom Nelson said.
The four missions planned for 2025 are: April 16, May 27, Sept. 2 and Oct. 28.
If you or someone you know is a veteran, you can apply to go on the free trip here.
While the trip is free for veterans, it is donations from the community that helps pay for these trips.
Each year the airport hosts its Pulling for Honor fundraiser, where teams of 20 test their might by pulling a 180,000 pound airplane 12 feet the fastest.
“At the end of the day, it’s a contest to see who can pull the plane the fastest but the real winners are our veterans and our organization. All the money that is raised will go back to supporting future honor flight missions,” explained Old Glory Honor Flight executive director, Diane MacDonald.
Last year, the event raised more than $150,000.
Teams can register for the Aug. 16 event here.
In addition to participating at Pulling for Honor, community members can donate to Old Glory Honor Flights, as well as volunteer. Community members are also encouraged to come to the airport and welcome the veterans home when they return from the missions to make the experience even more special.
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