Appleton International Airport and Old Glory Honor Flight announced the dates for the free flights provided to veterans to visit war memorials in Washington D.C.
The 2025 departure dates are:
- Mission 73 takes off April 16
- Mission 74 takes off May 27
- Mission 75 is the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight and takes off from the EAA grounds during AirVenture July 25, 2025. This mission is exclusive to Vietnam War veterans.
- Mission 76 takes off Sept. 2
- Mission 77 takes off Oct. 28
The Old Glory Honor Flight was founded in 2009 by Appleton-based volunteers. The event travels with trained volunteers who plan the day-long trip to give veterans a red-carpet treatment. The organization provides escorts, a medical team, professional photographers and plans the itinerary in Washington D.C. The day ends with family members and the community participating in a welcome home celebration at the Appleton airport.
Since its inception, the organization has hosted more than 6,400 veterans.
“We could not celebrate these heroes without the commitment of our sponsors and partners and the overwhelming support of the community,” said Diane MacDonald, executive director of Old Glory Honor Flight.
MacDonald said each flight costs about $103,000 and the entire program is privately funded.
The Appleton airport has been hosting the flights since 2009.
“Our staff is dedicated to honoring our veterans and looks forward to each of these events as a way to celebrate the veterans and their families,” said Airport Director Abe Weber. He commended the community for their support of the program. “Without business support and their donations, these flights wouldn’t happen.”
Veterans on active duty in any branch of the service between Dec. 7, 1941, and May 7, 1975 qualify for the flights. MacDonald does advise that any veteran traveling on these missions will need a REAL ID starting in May 2025. Registration for the flights is now open at oldgloryhonorflight.org.
Pulling for Honor is a major fundraiser for the Old Glory Honor Flight and will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 16. The event will take place at the Appleton Flight Center located off Prospect Avenue west of the airport.
Pulling for Honor is a plane pull competition fundraiser where a team of 20 people competes to see who can pull a 180,000-pound plane 12 feet in the fastest time. Teams are required to raise a minimum of $1,500 in order to take part in the competition ($75 per person). Last year, participants and sponsors raised $150,000.
