Thousands of spectators lined the terminals at Appleton International Airport on May 27th to welcome home 91 veterans and their travel companions from the 2025 Old Glory Honor Flight. Crowds cheered and shook the hands of the many women and men who fought for our freedoms and while there was not a dry eye in sight, it was a remarkable way to honor the veterans.
Old Glory Honor Flight Executive Director Diane MacDonald said this year marked the 16th anniversary of the flight and that by the end of fall, it will mark taking over 7,000 veterans who live in Northeast Wisconsin to Washington DC. Attendees of the flight got to see memorials, pay their respects to fallen comrades and make new friends along the way.
“The Honor Flight is an extremely meaningful way for our community to say “thank you” for their service and sacrifice,” said MacDonald, “yesterday, we honored veterans from World War I, Korean, and Vietnam wars as well as those who served prior to May 1975; we want to thank all those who made it possible to give our veterans a day they will never forget.”
As the crowds patiently waited with patriotic signs and flags for the veteran’s plane to land, they enjoyed live music by SwingTime Big Band and connected with other Honor Flight families. Shortly after 11p.m. the celebration parade began as veterans began to proceed through the terminal, greeted with open arms and expressions of gratitude from hundreds of people.
Down the pathway soon came one of Door County’s very own; Wallace “Bill” Becker, a Navy veteran who served on board the USS Richard B. Anderson. Becker visited numerous ports during his service including Hawaii, Japan, China, the Philippines and Taiwan and called the trip an unforgettable experience.
“It was a wonderful day from start to finish,” Becker said, “the FDR monument was quite eye opening and to see the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was especially meaningful.”
Becker’s homecoming was met with an extra special surprise; in addition to other family waiting for him in the terminal, his son flew home to Wisconsin from the U.S. Virgin Islands to greet his father as he landed. The trip also served as a proud reminder for Becker on what it means to him to be a veteran.
“I always wanted to serve my country,” Becker added, “I wanted to make sure that our next generations down the line have the same opportunities that I’ve had because of the men and women fighting in the wars and preserving our peace and all of our freedoms.”
