WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly 80 veterans from the Upper Peninsula just visited our nation’s capital on an Honor Flight. It’s a trip where veterans get to fly to Washington, D.C. for the day to see the sights and monuments as a way to say ‘thank you’ for their service. We caught up with the veterans during their trip. Some described it as a once in a lifetime experience.
As the sun was setting, veterans from the U.P. were able to explore iconic D.C. sights along the National Mall.
“So we have got 75 veterans with us today,” said Scott Knauf, an organizer for the Honor Flight. “Three of them are Korean [War veterans] and then 72 are Vietnam [War veterans]. Four of them are women that are with us today.”
Their trip was pushed back a day after fog kept their plane grounded in Escanaba. Organizers said they touched down in Washington a little late, so they had to condense the trip a bit but the veterans we spoke with are happy with what they’ve been able to see and explore, despite the bumpy start.
“So far it was great,” said Air Force Veteran Paul Zawaacki. “We did a lot of drive-bys but the narrator on the bus was great still so we did pretty much everything we went by. It’s once in a life time to see you know so I’m happy with the trip.”
“The wife and I were here 20 years ago and it’s just overwhelming,” said Army Veteran James Schwhae. “I mean, we don’t have this kind of traffic in the U.P.”
“But we love all the monuments,” said Schwhae’s daughter, Paula Sturm. “One of my favorites was Iwo Jima [Memorial]. I’ve never seen that in person. I love it. we’re on our way to the Vietnam wall. We’re going to do some rubbings and we’re excited to go there he served in the Vietnam era.”
“I’d like to thank the ones that put this trip together without them it would never happen,” said Zawaacki. “You feel like you did something important like putting your time in the service and they kind of forget about you when you come home way back 50 years ago. Now its a little different.”
