ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Wednesday, veterans from across the U.P. will fly to Washington, D.C. on the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight.
U.P. Honor Flight Mission XXIV is set to take off around 6:30 a.m. 76 veterans will be on board to see the monuments built in their honor throughout America’s capitol.
“Three of them are Korean, 73 of them are Vietnam veterans, and four of those Vietnam veterans are women,” said U.P. Honor Flight President Scott Knauf. “We’re going to see the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Women’s Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and then the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorial, and we’ll end up at the Navy Memorial.”
The group attended a banquet Tuesday evening to prepare for their trip. Each veteran has their own unique story.
“I was in Vietnam in 1967 – 1968, 11th Armored Cavalry,” said veteran Carl VanAbel. “I was just drafted in the Army like everybody else was, spent my time, and I came back home.”
“I was in the military police,” said Rodney Guizzetti, who was stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey. “I’m glad I went. I wasn’t too excited about going in the service at that time, but I really enjoyed it.”
For each one, the Honor Flight is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“This is an honor,” VanAbel said. “I put it off for a long time and finally got into it. A couple friends of mine that went on it said it was worthwhile. I’ve got my family with me, and that’s all I need.”
Guizzetti says he is grateful to share that experience with others who know the sacrifice and dedication that come with serving their country.
“When I signed up, I said I just wanted to be here to experience the camaraderie,” he said. “It’s going to be a busy day, but it’ll be worth it. It’s just a great experience. I couldn’t sleep last night! I’m so excited.”
The Upper Peninsula Honor Flight is scheduled to return to the Delta County Airport around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The public is invited to come out to give the veterans the hero’s welcome many of them never received when they returned home from the military.
“It seems like throughout the day by being with other veterans, seeing these memorials, the healing begins,” Knauf said. “They tell me stories of they didn’t realize how this was a trip of therapy, and the healing has begun.”
Click here to look back at U.P. Honor Flight Mission XXII. Veterans interested in signing up for a future Honor Flight, including a planned all-female flight the organization hopes to take next year, visit uphonorflight.org or call (906) 280-2871.
On Wednesday, September 18, WZMQ 19 will have coverage of Mission XXIV’s takeoff from the Delta County Airport, as well as a look at one of the stops on the veterans’ trip to Washington, D.C.
