Senator Stabenow Honors Michigan Veterans Visiting World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
Upper Peninsula Honor Flight Will Carry 77 WWII Veterans Free of Charge
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today welcomed 77 Michigan World War II veterans who traveled from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. The veterans were flown in on Upper Peninsula Honor Flight Mission III by the Honor Flight Network with donations from local Michigan communities. Stabenow greeted the veterans at the memorial and presented them with certificates honoring their service.
"It is always a great privilege to honor Michigan's brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country," said Stabenow. "The mission of the Honor Flight Network is a fitting tribute to our veterans, giving them an opportunity to see their memorials firsthand. We owe all of our veterans our unwavering support."
Honor Flight was founded in 2005 by retired U.S. Air Force officer and physician's assistant, Erwin "Earl" Moose, who wanted to honor the veterans he had taken care of while working in a VA health clinic. Earl Moose offered to fly veterans in his own plane - free of charge - to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial. By the end of 2011, Honor flight had transported more than 81,000 veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War - at no cost for veterans - to see their memorials through partnerships with airlines and private foundations.
