A sendoff and a proper welcome home: Mission 47 of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight

WASHINGTON D.C. (WSAW) - Mission 47 of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight is officially in the books.

On Monday, 106 veterans from across central and north central Wisconsin took the trip of a lifetime to Washington D.C. to see the memorials built in their honor. However, for some, it was landing at the airport that’s an experience they’ll never forget, and one they never thought they’d receive.

From the break of dawn, these veterans were on the move.

Korean War veteran from Cumberland Robert Schaghy says, “I’ve been excited about it since I heard about it.”

In one day, traveling nearly 1,000 miles and back to see the national memorials built in recognition of their service.

“It’s emotional,” Army veteran during the Vietnam War and Abbotsford native Russell Palmerton said.

Along the way, they were met with honor.

“You don’t expect that from the younger generation. You think they don’t care,” Palmerton added. “But boy it showed me different feelings.”

Respect and gratitude — the main takeaways from all the veterans.

Navy veteran during Vietnam from Tomahawk Thomas “Hetch” Lund said, “They made me cry.”

For many though, it was what and who greeted them at the airport.

“Very overwhelmed — tears — very emotional,” Lund said.

“This is awesome, just awesome,” Army veteran during Vietnam Marjean Zoellick of Dorchester added. “I never had so many handshakes in my life.”

One by one, each veteran was given a hero’s welcome home. A welcome many of them never received after their time served overseas.

“It’s hard to express,” Palmerton said. “We never got any of that when I got out of the service and got back to the States and stuff. It’s just wonderful.”

It’s a moment they’ll never forget thanks to a trip of a lifetime.

Honor Flight 48 will lift off next month. NewsChannel 7′s Kassandra Sepeda will have continued coverage of the 47th Never Forgotten Honor Flight throughout the week.

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.