Old Glory Honor Flight is taking numerous local and area veterans to Washington D.C. today as a part of its 78th mission, thanks to a tremendous outpouring of support from the Manitowoc County community.
Seehafer Broadcasting and several other local veterans organizations raised money for the flight and raised enough to pay for the entire trip.
Tom Hoffman, a Manitowoc veteran who participated in Mission 73 back in April, said he is impressed by the people of Manitowoc County.
“The people of Manitowoc County (are) awesome…when it comes to helping people,” he said. “They respect their veterans a lot more than a lot of other places do.”
Hoffman was a member of the Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War, and when he was approached by some other local Vietnam vets to sign up for Old Glory Honor Flight, he jumped at the opportunity.
In an added bonus, Hoffman’s daughter ended up going with as his guardian.
“Her being a veteran, she fit right in,” he said with a smile. “It was just a fabulous day for her and I to share together.”
Naturally, the big emotional moment for Tom was the stop at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, where he found the names of several of his friends, but he also really enjoyed the WWII and Korean War Monuments, and Arlington National Cemetery.
“Arlington’s a whole new story all by itself,” he said. “That’s just a beautiful place that just totally blows your mind. The sacrifice that people made for this country of ours, you know, it just unbelievable.”
Another big moment for Tom was when it was time for Mail Call. He received letters from many different people, some of whom he did not know, but one letter stood out the most.
“My wife gave me the last one I wrote to her from Vietnam,” Hoffman explained, pulling the letter from a photo album. “She saved every letter that I ever sent her for a year, a year and a couple of months. And this one here was the last one I sent.”
All are encouraged to welcome the veterans and their guardians back at the Appleton International Airport tonight for the Welcome Home Celebration Parade.
The flight is anticipated to land at around 9:15 p.m., and attendees should arrive no earlier than 7:00 p.m.
For more information on the organization or to sign up to participate as a veteran or guardian, visit OldGloryHonorFlight.org.
