Stars and Stripes Honor Flight returns to Green Bay June 20

GREEN BAY – The 2026 Stars and Stripes “Flight of Champions” Honor Flight will take place on Saturday, June 20, Board Member Paula Nelson announced Tuesday, May 12.

Nelson said that the local community is encouraged to attend the welcome home celebration at the Veterans’ respective airports that evening.

“This is a special day for us because we can announce that the local community, and really the state of Wisconsin, can be involved in saying thank you to some incredible and heroic individuals — our U.S. military Veterans,” said Nelson.

The Flight of Champions is a special one-day flight that transports local Wisconsin Vietnam-era Veterans to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., to visit memorials dedicated in their honor.

Flights will depart from Green Bay’s Austin Straubel International Airport and Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport.

Approximately 160 Veterans of the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War will receive the opportunity to be a part of the honor flight.
The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is sponsored by the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks; each of these entities will send former professional athletes to accompany the Veterans on their day-trip.

“This is the seventh year that we have Wisconsin’s three largest professional sports teams teaming up together for the purpose of honoring our Veterans and making sure that they have a day that they won’t soon forget,” Nelson said. “This will be a special day filled with many meaningful moments and a sincere thanks for their service to our nation.”

The Austin Straubel flight is expected to return to Green Bay at approximately 7:30 p.m. to a warm welcome back reception from the community.

“To make this day even bigger and better for our Veterans. We are calling on the public for help. We need you to turn out in hundreds, if not thousands, at our airport when these Veterans arrive back in Green Bay. Bring your family, children and friends. I can guarantee you that this atmosphere will be something you will not forget,” said Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach.

Local Wisconsin Veterans Andrew Bronander, Randy Frailing and Owen Veldboom were present at the announcement to share their experiences with the Honor Flight and to encourage the community to take part in the event.