There were 83 veterans who flew out of Central Wisconsin Airport at O-Dark-30 this morning. One of them was Jim's Uncle Lyle, his mother's brother-in-law. Just like last year, when Jim's Uncle Frank (his dad's brother) went, there was a massive crowd to greet the passengers of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight upon their return home.
Today's event was unusual in that the $70,000 flight was not only was fully funded from a single donor, but for the first time, Vietnam veterans who aren't terminally ill were on the flight. As of today, this unique program (which celebrated its 5th anniversary, too) will have sent all of the oldest veterans – in our 12-county region – on their way to Washington DC to tour the various monuments built in their honor.
Uncle Lyle's flight included 29 World War II veterans, 49 Korean (like him) and 5 Vietnam. All were welcomed home with equal fervor from the crowd of thousands that included hubby, his parents, his sister and me. Not to mention much of Lyle's family from sister to kids and grandkids.
Veterans lined with flags on one side of the pathway.
The other side of the aisle was large groups of supporters like Lyle's – inlaws to siblings to grandchildren. So cool to be there to support him.
He was able to stop long enough on his trek on by to hug one of his daughters...
And his sister, too!
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