Last week, Baileys Harbor Fire Chief Brian Zak proved that you never never know who you will meet when volunteering to do something special. Zak submitted his name to be a guardian for veterans on the Old Glory Honor Flight missions over three years ago. It is his way of thanking veterans that have defended the United States over the years, but the pandemic suspended the trips for almost two years. Zak got the call to volunteer this year, and when he looked at the roster of the people he would be accompanying to Washington D.C., he found the name of Vietnam Veteran John Clove, who lived just 10 miles away from him in Sister Bay.

The highlight of the Old Glory Honor Flight is the Welcome Home celebration, this time taking place at the Appleton International Airport. Zak says he was overcome with emotion for the veterans he spent time with for one day in May.

Zak hopes to have the opportunity to be a guardian again for another Old Glory Honor Flight. You can learn more about how you can be a guardian and support the mission of Old Glory Honor Flight by clicking this link. 

Pictures courtesy of Brian Zak