By Heather Graves
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – Greeted by hundreds waving American flags, cheering, holding signs of support and extending handshakes of heartfelt thanks, Saturday, Oct. 19 is a day more than 70 Northeast Wisconsin veterans won’t soon forget.
It was a celebration when the 55th Stars and Stripes Honor Flight touched down at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay.
World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans returned home after spending the day visiting memorials throughout the Washington, D.C., area built in their honor.
Dubbed the “Flight of Champions,” veterans were accompanied by a handful of Green Bay Packers alumni including Jared Abbrederis, Jarrett Bush, LeRoy Butler, Johnnie Gray and Bill Schroeder.
They were joined in the nation’s capital by two planes of veterans from Milwaukee who were accompanied by Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks alum.
“The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight – Flight of Champions trip was an overwhelming success,” said Paula Nelson, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight president. “(Between Green Bay and Milwaukee), 248 Wisconsin veterans had the day of recognition, and thanks that has been so long overdue.”
This was the first honor flight to include alumni from three sport organizations – the Packers, Brewers and Bucks.
Nelson said the Packers alumni were humble and did all they could to make the day special for everyone on the trip.
“Bill Schroeder, in particular, gave a very heartfelt message to all of the veterans,” Nelson said. “The alumni signed autographs and took pictures with anyone who asked, and then turned the tables on the veterans and asked for their autographs in return.”
All veterans on the triple-flight trip received a commemorative challenge coin from the Green Bay Packers, a lapel pin from the Milwaukee Brewers and a cap from the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Each of these were branded with all three team logos,” Nelson said.
Everyone on the trip also received a Flight of Champions tote bag.
Since 2008, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight has taken more than 7,200 local veterans on these all-expense-paid trips of a lifetime.