Honoring Vietnam Vets With Flight To D.C. To Tour War Memorials

One of the highlights of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is its annual salute to veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., which will return this year and take place on July 25. The EAA’s annual fly-in and convention runs from July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Vietnam War veterans will be honored when traveling to the capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. They will return to Oshkosh at the end of the Friday afternoon air show and be saluted by thousands of people who welcome them back to Boeing Plaza, giving them the recognition they so well deserve.

This will be the 11th year the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight originates out of AirVenture. It is conducted under the aegis of the Old Glory Honor Flight of Appleton, Wisconsin, just up the road from Oshkosh.

Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programming said, “The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is one of the most memorable events of AirVenture week and our Salute to Veterans activities each year. This event that honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and provides them an experience of a lifetime, while giving AirVenture attendees an opportunity to say, ‘Thanks and welcome home.’”

Old Glory Honor Flight has organized and operated dozens of Honor Flights since its inception in 2009 through the contributions of time and expertise of its dedicated volunteers. They have also included special flights to Pearl Harbor and to Vietnam.

Diane MacDonald, Executive Director of Old Glory Honor Flight explained, “Each Honor Flight mission is a special occasion, but the ability to be a part of EAA AirVenture always creates unforgettable moments. Honoring our local Vietnam veterans out of EAA AirVenture is such a highlight; being witness to the enthusiasm, respect, and appreciation from the world’s aviation enthusiasts when the flight returns to Oshkosh is such an incredible sight to see and it means the world to the men and women who get to experience it.”

American Airlines will again be providing the aircraft for the flight and it will be operated by and all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.

FMI:  www.eaa.org/ , www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/