Listen to interview with Barb VanRooy
ESCANABA – The fifth Upper Peninsula Honor Flight is taking off from the Delta County Airport Wednesday morning for Washington D.C. The plane will be leaving at about 7:30 a.m.
Making the trip are 76 World War II veterans. Organizer Barb VanRooy says the group has a variety of backgrounds.
“We have several veterans that were in World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. So this trip is really special for them. they get to see all of their memorials,” VanRooy said. “We have one female on this flight. We have two POWs. One of them was in five different prison camps and was forced to march from one camp to the other in the winter.”
The veterans will be visiting the World War II and other memorials while in Washington. An Air Force Drill Team will also perform for the group.
They will return Wednesday night at about 8:30 p.m. There will be a big reception at the airport to welcome them home. The hanger will open beginning at 7. Everyone is invited to attend.