The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight announced a list of Brewers, Bucks and Packers alumni that will accompany 240 World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 19.
The trip will give veterans an opportunity to see memorials built in their honor and experience a day full of tribute and thanks for their service to our nation.
"We are honored to be a part of this historic mission with our fellow pro sports teams from Wisconsin,” said Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. “While we play different sports, we all have one thing in common, and that is great respect for those who have served, and are serving, in our military. We couldn’t be more excited to be asked to play a small role in ensuring these veterans, who are American heroes, have a great day in D.C.”
Two planes of veterans and past Brewers and Bucks players will depart from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. One plane carrying vets and Packers will leave from Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.
From the Milwaukee Brewers:
- Don August
- Jerry Augustine
- Ken Sanders
- Paul Wagner
From the Milwaukee Bucks:
- Steve Novak
- Dick Garrett
From the Green Bay Packers:
- Jared Abbrederis
- Jarrett Bush
- LeRoy Butler
- Johnnie Gray
- Bill Schroeder
The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight organization is asking for Green Bay-area residents to join in welcoming veterans home from the daylong trip. The flight is planning to arrive at Austin Straubel Airport about 7:30 p.m., and the concourse will open for visitors at 5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. If you need seating, you can bring a small bag chair. Inside the airport, there will be live music, flag giveaways and honor guards.
“So many of our Vietnam War and Korean War veterans came home to disinterest, or to a hostile reception,” said Paula Nelson, president of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. “What an honor it will be to finally welcome them home properly and hopefully replace some of those difficult memories with positive ones.”
