 The Old Glory Honor Flight's 2 week trip to Vietnam is over. The 52 Vietnam war veterans are back with their families and friends across NE Wisconsin. 



 But the story of their historic return, 50 years after serving in that war-devastated land, will not be forgotten. 



 One of the people who'll make sure of that is Jenny Vanden Heuvel. She and others started by doing interviews with the veterans, gatherings memories of their original tours in Vietnam. But that's just the beginning. 



 "Capturing what happens on the trip and the welcome home. And, the combination of all that together is going to be a book." 



 And, in addition to the gripping words from these veterans, there are pictures. Lots of them. 



 Jim Koepnick is a professional photographer based out of the Fox Valley. He was along on the trip as the official photog. He calls it a humbling experience. 



 "We don't want to intrude. As a photojournalist, I hate to put a camera right in someone's face." 



 There were moments when the veterans were breaking down, especially at locations where they were in battles, suffered wounds and lost friends. Koepnick had to be sensitive to that but still get the shot. 



 "The vets like, when they're showing emotion, afterward they like the pictures. They're not embarrassed by it. They're glad they let the emotions out." 



 He has other tricks that enable him to get the pictures, without butting in. He'll use a telephoto lens and keep a respectful distance away. 



 "One thing I do to is my cameras can go on fully silent mode. So, it's not like they're hearing 100 clicks of something. They don't know when I'm shooting, so that helps not intrude on the moment." 



 So, with the truly emotional photos and words of the vets, and the detailed images of the people and streets of today's Vietnam, Jenny Vanden Heuvel believes there's plenty of material. 



 "To share that experience with others and to really make a powerful impact on those who couldn't be on the trip." 



 The plan is not to make this book simply a memento for the veterans. More like a history lesson covering a period of time in the American past that Vanden Heuvel doesn't believe has been very well covered in your typical school classroom. 



 "But also, our hope is to be able to share additional copies with local schools, local libraries, families, friends. To be able to share this experience with others." 



 And she says with the talents of people like Jim Koepnick, and her own dedication to the veterans, their stories, and the mission of the Old Glory Honor Flight, the publication of this book will happen soon. And the tale of the American heroes and their "Return To Nam" will live on for future generations. 



 "To have the honor and the trust and the respect. The respect to be able to talk to them and have them open their hearts to that and share with others, understand the value that brings is a very powerful thing." 



 To hear more of the stories, watch the videos, and look at the photos head on over the "Return To Vietnam" hub at wtaq.com

The Old Glory Honor Flight's 2 week trip to Vietnam is over. The 52 Vietnam war veterans are back with their families and friends across NE Wisconsin. 


 But the story of their historic return, 50 years after serving in that war-devastated land, will not be forgotten. 


 One of the people who'll make sure of that is Jenny Vanden Heuvel. She and others started by doing interviews with the veterans, gatherings memories of their original tours in Vietnam. But that's just the beginning. 


 "Capturing what happens on the trip and the welcome home. And, the combination of all that together is going to be a book." 


 And, in addition to the gripping words from these veterans, there are pictures. Lots of them. 


 Jim Koepnick is a professional photographer based out of the Fox Valley. He was along on the trip as the official photog. He calls it a humbling experience. 


 "We don't want to intrude. As a photojournalist, I hate to put a camera right in someone's face." 


 There were moments when the veterans were breaking down, especially at locations where they were in battles, suffered wounds and lost friends. Koepnick had to be sensitive to that but still get the shot. 


 "The vets like, when they're showing emotion, afterward they like the pictures. They're not embarrassed by it. They're glad they let the emotions out." 


 He has other tricks that enable him to get the pictures, without butting in. He'll use a telephoto lens and keep a respectful distance away. 


 "One thing I do to is my cameras can go on fully silent mode. So, it's not like they're hearing 100 clicks of something. They don't know when I'm shooting, so that helps not intrude on the moment." 


 So, with the truly emotional photos and words of the vets, and the detailed images of the people and streets of today's Vietnam, Jenny Vanden Heuvel believes there's plenty of material. 


 "To share that experience with others and to really make a powerful impact on those who couldn't be on the trip." 


 The plan is not to make this book simply a memento for the veterans. More like a history lesson covering a period of time in the American past that Vanden Heuvel doesn't believe has been very well covered in your typical school classroom. 


 "But also, our hope is to be able to share additional copies with local schools, local libraries, families, friends. To be able to share this experience with others." 


 And she says with the talents of people like Jim Koepnick, and her own dedication to the veterans, their stories, and the mission of the Old Glory Honor Flight, the publication of this book will happen soon. And the tale of the American heroes and their "Return To Nam" will live on for future generations. 


 "To have the honor and the trust and the respect. The respect to be able to talk to them and have them open their hearts to that and share with others, understand the value that brings is a very powerful thing." 


 To hear more of the stories, watch the videos, and look at the photos head on over the "Return To Vietnam" hub at wtaq.com

The Legacy Of 'Return To Nam' (EPISODE # 15)

 Different experiences and different emotions for 52 Vietnam war veterans from northeast Wisconsin. 



 All of them brought together for a special Old Glory Honor Flight that brought them back to a land that has changed a great deal from the place where they fought for their country, and their lives, 50 years ago. 



 Appleton's Ron Lingle calls the trip back to Vietnam a life-changing, humbling experience. 



 "I loved Vietnam. I was a little apprehensive about going...but I'm glad I did. A lot of closure." 



 When the plane landed in Saigon he started to realize something mystical was happening. Almost like spirits were there to welcome him. 



 The army veteran was talking about the troops, some of them his friends, who never made it home. And he shared that with the others. 



 "Made a lot of friends. Let go of a lot of things we've been holding for years. Feels good." 



 Black Creek's John Mynelschmidt says that was one of things that made the trip special. Everyone had their emotional issues to deal with....and soon found out they could lean on each other when the difficult moments came. 



 "You don't know how easy this is....to be with these people. Everyone you're talking to knows exactly what you went through, what happened, and what's going on." 



 That brotherhood was something Lingle took advantage of on several occasions. 



 "Everybody had stories to tell and some I could relate to and some I couldn't. But it's stuff that you've been holding in for years and need to let go of that." 



 What had Mynelschmidt amazed was the changes in the war-torn place he left behind when it was time to come home. 



 "Totally unbelievable experience. Hanoi and Saigon, just unbelievable. These people don't even know about the war. The younger ones have no clue. There's no animosity against us. They're totaling welcoming to us." 



 Lingle served at Khe Sanh in 1968, the scene of some brutal, bloody fighting. It was that stop that was the most difficult to take. 



 "When we stopped at Khe Sanh that was the worst spot for me. I left my coin there and said some prayers for some friends. The ones that didn't make it out of there." 



 And Drew MacDonald, with the Old Glory Honor Flight, kept the vets informed about the growing number of people back home following their adventures... 



 "Some of the feedback we were getting from home and on our Facebook page, raming up with followers. We started to realize this thing is snowballing." 



 It all added up to a release for Ron Lingle when he, and the vets, arrived at packed Menasha High School Saturday night. 



 "Wow, this is more than I could ever imagined." 



 Wednesday....The legacy of "Return To Nam".  Find out the ways this experience, and the lessons learned, will be shared for future generations.

Different experiences and different emotions for 52 Vietnam war veterans from northeast Wisconsin. 


 All of them brought together for a special Old Glory Honor Flight that brought them back to a land that has changed a great deal from the place where they fought for their country, and their lives, 50 years ago. 


 Appleton's Ron Lingle calls the trip back to Vietnam a life-changing, humbling experience. 


 "I loved Vietnam. I was a little apprehensive about going...but I'm glad I did. A lot of closure." 


 When the plane landed in Saigon he started to realize something mystical was happening. Almost like spirits were there to welcome him. 


 The army veteran was talking about the troops, some of them his friends, who never made it home. And he shared that with the others. 


 "Made a lot of friends. Let go of a lot of things we've been holding for years. Feels good." 


 Black Creek's John Mynelschmidt says that was one of things that made the trip special. Everyone had their emotional issues to deal with....and soon found out they could lean on each other when the difficult moments came. 


 "You don't know how easy this is....to be with these people. Everyone you're talking to knows exactly what you went through, what happened, and what's going on." 


 That brotherhood was something Lingle took advantage of on several occasions. 


 "Everybody had stories to tell and some I could relate to and some I couldn't. But it's stuff that you've been holding in for years and need to let go of that." 


 What had Mynelschmidt amazed was the changes in the war-torn place he left behind when it was time to come home. 


 "Totally unbelievable experience. Hanoi and Saigon, just unbelievable. These people don't even know about the war. The younger ones have no clue. There's no animosity against us. They're totaling welcoming to us." 


 Lingle served at Khe Sanh in 1968, the scene of some brutal, bloody fighting. It was that stop that was the most difficult to take. 


 "When we stopped at Khe Sanh that was the worst spot for me. I left my coin there and said some prayers for some friends. The ones that didn't make it out of there." 


 And Drew MacDonald, with the Old Glory Honor Flight, kept the vets informed about the growing number of people back home following their adventures... 


 "Some of the feedback we were getting from home and on our Facebook page, raming up with followers. We started to realize this thing is snowballing." 


 It all added up to a release for Ron Lingle when he, and the vets, arrived at packed Menasha High School Saturday night. 


 "Wow, this is more than I could ever imagined." 


 Wednesday....The legacy of "Return To Nam".  Find out the ways this experience, and the lessons learned, will be shared for future generations.

Veterans Leave Strangers, Return Brothers (EPISODE #14)

 After two weeks on a trip they'll never forget, 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans returned home from Vietnam Saturday night. 



 And unlike the first time they came home from southeast Asia....this was a reception full of love and gratitude among generations of family, friends and the rest of the community. 



 The veterans met their families right after getting off the bus at Menasha High School....Army vet John Minislschmidt was just happy to see his wife. 



 "Well, we figured something was going to happen. But we never thought this much again." 



 None of these guys knew that thousands more were waiting in the packed fieldhouse. 



 As they were paraded in for their official welcome home Sammi Dachelet was excited to see her brother-in-law Jimmi 



 "For them to take him over to Nam and get all the things he was worried about and thought about all these years. I think that's all take care of now. I'm excited to see him." 



 Chris Dachelet, Jimmy's wife, was nervous while he was gone...knowing he was going back to a place to face some demons. 



 "I was just wondering how they were all handling it. I was watching all the pictures on Facebook and it made it easier for me." 



 Dan Van Lanen was here to welcome his two brothers, Tom and Dale. He says they both wrestled with the idea of going back to Nam. 



 "They both got some very trying emotions, as anyone would have. The family is glad they made it home safe and sound. Extremely emotional for everybody." 



 And Van Lanan says this homecoming was far different than one he personally saw at an airport when some Vietnam veterans came home a half a century a go...



 "I actually saw where two soldiers came down the hallway. A lady with a child walked up to them, spit in their face and called them baby killers. People were so ungrateful for what these soldiers did. They came home, not appreciated. Hopefully this will give them some closure." 



 Steve Trinkner, with Old Glory Honor Flight, hopes the students in attendance learn a lesson not taught in the classroom. 



 "The biggest takeaway for young people in all this is make sure you live a life worthy of the sacrifice these guys have made." 



 Between the bands, the speakers, the food and the balloons, a lot of people had a hand in this welcome home party. And the turnout, on a night with winter weather advisories posted, also makes a statement... 



 "It makes my heart feel warm. Very heartfelt, very appreciative." 



 Tomorrow, more from the veterans on their Vietnam experience. 



 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of the Old Glory Honor Flight by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co.

After two weeks on a trip they'll never forget, 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans returned home from Vietnam Saturday night. 


 And unlike the first time they came home from southeast Asia....this was a reception full of love and gratitude among generations of family, friends and the rest of the community. 


 The veterans met their families right after getting off the bus at Menasha High School....Army vet John Minislschmidt was just happy to see his wife. 


 "Well, we figured something was going to happen. But we never thought this much again." 


 None of these guys knew that thousands more were waiting in the packed fieldhouse. 


 As they were paraded in for their official welcome home Sammi Dachelet was excited to see her brother-in-law Jimmi 


 "For them to take him over to Nam and get all the things he was worried about and thought about all these years. I think that's all take care of now. I'm excited to see him." 


 Chris Dachelet, Jimmy's wife, was nervous while he was gone...knowing he was going back to a place to face some demons. 


 "I was just wondering how they were all handling it. I was watching all the pictures on Facebook and it made it easier for me." 


 Dan Van Lanen was here to welcome his two brothers, Tom and Dale. He says they both wrestled with the idea of going back to Nam. 


 "They both got some very trying emotions, as anyone would have. The family is glad they made it home safe and sound. Extremely emotional for everybody." 


 And Van Lanan says this homecoming was far different than one he personally saw at an airport when some Vietnam veterans came home a half a century a go...


 "I actually saw where two soldiers came down the hallway. A lady with a child walked up to them, spit in their face and called them baby killers. People were so ungrateful for what these soldiers did. They came home, not appreciated. Hopefully this will give them some closure." 


 Steve Trinkner, with Old Glory Honor Flight, hopes the students in attendance learn a lesson not taught in the classroom. 


 "The biggest takeaway for young people in all this is make sure you live a life worthy of the sacrifice these guys have made." 


 Between the bands, the speakers, the food and the balloons, a lot of people had a hand in this welcome home party. And the turnout, on a night with winter weather advisories posted, also makes a statement... 


 "It makes my heart feel warm. Very heartfelt, very appreciative." 


 Tomorrow, more from the veterans on their Vietnam experience. 


 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of the Old Glory Honor Flight by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co.

Veterans Get A Warm Welcome Home (EPISODE #13)

 As their historic return to Southeast Asia comes to an end for 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans, many of them are reflecting on their chance to stand in the same spot where they dodged enemy fire, suffered their own emotional and physical wounds, and lost friends they served with. 



 Randy Barth's tour brought him to Vietnam in 1968. He spent a lot of time in the jungles and backcountry facing severe injury or death on a daily basis. 



 "Really great....just can't believe how much it's changed." 



 In fact, there's an anniversary coming up. 



 "MARCH 18th, 1968, in a little village called Dai Do. Roughly 3 miles east of here." 



 That's where the Green Bay Marine was wounded in a firefight. He was trying to take the rifle from a buddy who'd been hit. 



 "When I reached out that's when I got hit. I thought I was dying....that's the god's truth, I thought I was dying." 



 To stand on the same ground, visualize his friends, and think about how fortunate he was to come home alive, is something he's even more grateful for because of this Old Glory Honor Flight. 



 And sharing it with the veterans on this trip makes it more special. 



 "I like thinking about the war....the camaraderie of the guys that you knew. Do I make a habit out of it ? No".



 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co. 



 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. 



 The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5 pm.

As their historic return to Southeast Asia comes to an end for 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans, many of them are reflecting on their chance to stand in the same spot where they dodged enemy fire, suffered their own emotional and physical wounds, and lost friends they served with. 


 Randy Barth's tour brought him to Vietnam in 1968. He spent a lot of time in the jungles and backcountry facing severe injury or death on a daily basis. 


 "Really great....just can't believe how much it's changed." 


 In fact, there's an anniversary coming up. 


 "MARCH 18th, 1968, in a little village called Dai Do. Roughly 3 miles east of here." 


 That's where the Green Bay Marine was wounded in a firefight. He was trying to take the rifle from a buddy who'd been hit. 


 "When I reached out that's when I got hit. I thought I was dying....that's the god's truth, I thought I was dying." 


 To stand on the same ground, visualize his friends, and think about how fortunate he was to come home alive, is something he's even more grateful for because of this Old Glory Honor Flight. 


 And sharing it with the veterans on this trip makes it more special. 


 "I like thinking about the war....the camaraderie of the guys that you knew. Do I make a habit out of it ? No".


 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co. 


 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. 


 The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5 pm.

Veteran Stands Where Bullets Whizzed By (EPISODE #12)

 The group making the Old Glory Honor Flight trip to Vietnam the past couple of weeks is made up primarily of NE Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans. 



 But they're not the only ones that make up the party. A Kaukauna doctor, serving as the group physician, has a special job that he's carrying out.
 

 In addition to keeping everyone in good health, Doctor Gregory Johnson brought something with him. 



 An M-I-A bracelet that was given to him by a patient.  Another Vietnam vet. 



 "When he came back from Vietnam he found M-I-A bracelets and he brought one home for each of his siblings." 



 The name on this bracelet is Jimmy Watson, missing since his helicopter went down. 



 "In March of 68 he and ten other gentlemen were on a helicopter, within just a few miles from here, and were shot down." 



 Some on board managed to make it to safety. Jimmy Watson was never heard from again. 



 Doctor Johnson has a special marker in memory of him and will bury it in his honor. 



 "We were given challenge coins to place at places of our own discretion. And I just buried his challenge coin here, behind us, where I think we're just a few miles from where Mr. Watson died." 



 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co. 



 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. 



 The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm.
 

The group making the Old Glory Honor Flight trip to Vietnam the past couple of weeks is made up primarily of NE Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans. 


 But they're not the only ones that make up the party. A Kaukauna doctor, serving as the group physician, has a special job that he's carrying out.
 
 In addition to keeping everyone in good health, Doctor Gregory Johnson brought something with him. 


 An M-I-A bracelet that was given to him by a patient.  Another Vietnam vet. 


 "When he came back from Vietnam he found M-I-A bracelets and he brought one home for each of his siblings." 


 The name on this bracelet is Jimmy Watson, missing since his helicopter went down. 


 "In March of 68 he and ten other gentlemen were on a helicopter, within just a few miles from here, and were shot down." 


 Some on board managed to make it to safety. Jimmy Watson was never heard from again. 


 Doctor Johnson has a special marker in memory of him and will bury it in his honor. 


 "We were given challenge coins to place at places of our own discretion. And I just buried his challenge coin here, behind us, where I think we're just a few miles from where Mr. Watson died." 


 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co. 


 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. 


 The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm.

Group Physician With A Special Mission (EPISODE #11)

 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans are in their last week of a special Old Glory Honor Flight tour. 



 There are many reasons why these men wanted to come back to a place where life or death was a minute to minute reality. 



 But for one veteran this return visit is something he's been planning for nearly 50 years. 



 Jim Langner did his hitch in Vietnam from 1967-to-68. 



 Like most of the others on this journey, he saw plenty of bloodshed and lost friends. 



 But two years out of the Army Langner knew one thing. 



 "I just had a real urge to go back to Vietnam" 



 But why ? What was there about this war-torn land that held so much appeal ? 



 "I was just trying to get back to where I felt was reality. It might not be all good but I really liked Vietnamese people." 



 It wasn't a knock on his home state of Wisconsin. 



 "Wisconsin is a very nice place, but it's very away from the rest of the world. Away from what's really happening." 



 For years Langner tried to come back, but for one reason or another couldn't get into the country. Until now. 



 "Then I gave up on the whole thing. Then I had this opportunity to go with the Honor Flight." 



 Barely a week into the trip, Langner feels comfortable in the surroundings, despite all the changes in the past half century. 



 "Here I am and I'm back. It feels really good, feeling the atmosphere. I could just sit in a chair and watch traffic go by all day." 



 The Neenah resident says if he was 20 years younger, and didn't his kids, he would stay. 



 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm. 



 Follow the all the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight  by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co.

52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans are in their last week of a special Old Glory Honor Flight tour. 


 There are many reasons why these men wanted to come back to a place where life or death was a minute to minute reality. 


 But for one veteran this return visit is something he's been planning for nearly 50 years. 


 Jim Langner did his hitch in Vietnam from 1967-to-68. 


 Like most of the others on this journey, he saw plenty of bloodshed and lost friends. 


 But two years out of the Army Langner knew one thing. 


 "I just had a real urge to go back to Vietnam" 


 But why ? What was there about this war-torn land that held so much appeal ? 


 "I was just trying to get back to where I felt was reality. It might not be all good but I really liked Vietnamese people." 


 It wasn't a knock on his home state of Wisconsin. 


 "Wisconsin is a very nice place, but it's very away from the rest of the world. Away from what's really happening." 


 For years Langner tried to come back, but for one reason or another couldn't get into the country. Until now. 


 "Then I gave up on the whole thing. Then I had this opportunity to go with the Honor Flight." 


 Barely a week into the trip, Langner feels comfortable in the surroundings, despite all the changes in the past half century. 


 "Here I am and I'm back. It feels really good, feeling the atmosphere. I could just sit in a chair and watch traffic go by all day." 


 The Neenah resident says if he was 20 years younger, and didn't his kids, he would stay. 


 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm. 


 Follow the all the stories, interviews, pictures and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight  by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co.

Veteran Feels At Home In Vietnam (EPISODE #10)

 Almost a week into their return to Vietnam a group of NE Wisconsin veterans, part of an Old Glory Honor Flight trip, are handling their emotions in different ways. 



 For Ron Lingle, it's a chance to realize some things about himself and rejoice in a welcome back he didn't really see coming. 



 Appleton's Ron Lingle was one of the hundreds who would apply, and one of the just over 50 would be chosen. 



 When the plane landed in Saigon he started to realize something almost mystical was happening. 



 "I had a feeling of almost like spirits were here to welcome me." 



 The army veteran is talking about the troops, some of them his friends, who never made it home. 



 "Almost like....they, the feeling is that someone's back." 



 It was something Lingle says he never expected on this trip. 



 "It kind of gave me the chills when I felt that because I never felt that before." 



 Lingle served at Khe Sanh in 1968, the scene of brutal, bloody fighting. 



 He never spoke much about those days, but has been opening up more in recent years and thinks this tour, with these veterans, will help him feel better and not so alone. 



 "This trip I think is going to seal that for me." 



 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures, and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co. 



 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm.

Almost a week into their return to Vietnam a group of NE Wisconsin veterans, part of an Old Glory Honor Flight trip, are handling their emotions in different ways. 


 For Ron Lingle, it's a chance to realize some things about himself and rejoice in a welcome back he didn't really see coming. 


 Appleton's Ron Lingle was one of the hundreds who would apply, and one of the just over 50 would be chosen. 


 When the plane landed in Saigon he started to realize something almost mystical was happening. 


 "I had a feeling of almost like spirits were here to welcome me." 


 The army veteran is talking about the troops, some of them his friends, who never made it home. 


 "Almost like....they, the feeling is that someone's back." 


 It was something Lingle says he never expected on this trip. 


 "It kind of gave me the chills when I felt that because I never felt that before." 


 Lingle served at Khe Sanh in 1968, the scene of brutal, bloody fighting. 


 He never spoke much about those days, but has been opening up more in recent years and thinks this tour, with these veterans, will help him feel better and not so alone. 


 "This trip I think is going to seal that for me." 


 Follow the stories, interviews, pictures, and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the 'Return To Vietnam' hub at wtaq.co. 


 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm.

Vietnam Vet Welcomed in a Way He Didn't Expect (EPISODE #9)

 52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans are getting the chance to do just what they signed up for. 



 The Old Glory Honor Flight offered them the opportunity to go back to Vietnam and see some of the places where they fought half a century ago. 



 For one of them....that meant taking a boat ride. 



 Green Bay Navy veteran Tom Sharp served in Vietnam in 1967 and 68.  



 He spent a lot of the time looking for the enemy and patrolling the maze of canals that make up the Mekong Delta. 



 On this trip, he took a ride up some of those familiar waterways. 



 "The boat would go up and down. We'd go searching and sometimes we would find them and sometimes we wouldn't" 



 Sharp says much of the time it was boring.... 



 "For me, in the boats, it was 45 minutes of boredom and then 15 minutes of pure hell." 



 The hell would begin when they would come across a nest of Viet Cong along the shore. 



 "All out firefight. A knockdown drag out fight on the river." 



 Sometimes, your head was on a swivel. 



 "The gunfire could come from any bank, or you could be hit from both banks at the same time." 



 Tom Sharp was eventually wounded and sent home. He also lost some good friends during those firefights. 



 The memory of them is just one of the reasons he wanted to return. 



 The Wisconsin veterans will go from Saigon to Da Nang to Hanoi before returning home. 



 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm. 



 And you can follow the veteran's journey with daily updates, pictures, videos and more at the Return To Vietnam section at wtaq.com

52 NE Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans are getting the chance to do just what they signed up for. 


 The Old Glory Honor Flight offered them the opportunity to go back to Vietnam and see some of the places where they fought half a century ago. 


 For one of them....that meant taking a boat ride. 


 Green Bay Navy veteran Tom Sharp served in Vietnam in 1967 and 68.  


 He spent a lot of the time looking for the enemy and patrolling the maze of canals that make up the Mekong Delta. 


 On this trip, he took a ride up some of those familiar waterways. 


 "The boat would go up and down. We'd go searching and sometimes we would find them and sometimes we wouldn't" 


 Sharp says much of the time it was boring.... 


 "For me, in the boats, it was 45 minutes of boredom and then 15 minutes of pure hell." 


 The hell would begin when they would come across a nest of Viet Cong along the shore. 


 "All out firefight. A knockdown drag out fight on the river." 


 Sometimes, your head was on a swivel. 


 "The gunfire could come from any bank, or you could be hit from both banks at the same time." 


 Tom Sharp was eventually wounded and sent home. He also lost some good friends during those firefights. 


 The memory of them is just one of the reasons he wanted to return. 


 The Wisconsin veterans will go from Saigon to Da Nang to Hanoi before returning home. 


 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm. 


 And you can follow the veteran's journey with daily updates, pictures, videos and more at the Return To Vietnam section at wtaq.com

Veteran Relives His Days On The Delta (EPISODE #8)

 The next couple of weeks will be a whirlwind of visiting museums and battle sites. But there's another special mission goal for this trip that's not part of the Old Glory Honor Flight's printed itinerary.



 The goal is to give these veterans a chance to see all they can during their time in Vietnam.



 But at some point, Diane MacDonald is going to make sure the group will make time do something that was just added to the rundown.



 "Somebody from our community, one of the Menasha police officers, she dropped by my office and asked if I would take her dad's ashes with me."



 The ashes of another veteran with a connection to this trip and this group.



 "He was a Vietnam vet and he just recently passed away, right before he was going on an Honor Flight to DC."



 Those ashes will be left at a site that was important to this veteran and MacDonald says it will be an honor to carry out the wishes of this man and his family.



 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5 pm.



 And you can follow the veteran's journey with daily updates, pictures, videos and more at the Return To Vietnam section at
 
  wtaq.com
 

The next couple of weeks will be a whirlwind of visiting museums and battle sites. But there's another special mission goal for this trip that's not part of the Old Glory Honor Flight's printed itinerary.


 The goal is to give these veterans a chance to see all they can during their time in Vietnam.


 But at some point, Diane MacDonald is going to make sure the group will make time do something that was just added to the rundown.


 "Somebody from our community, one of the Menasha police officers, she dropped by my office and asked if I would take her dad's ashes with me."


 The ashes of another veteran with a connection to this trip and this group.


 "He was a Vietnam vet and he just recently passed away, right before he was going on an Honor Flight to DC."


 Those ashes will be left at a site that was important to this veteran and MacDonald says it will be an honor to carry out the wishes of this man and his family.


 The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5 pm.


 And you can follow the veteran's journey with daily updates, pictures, videos and more at the Return To Vietnam section at
 <a href="http://wtaq.com/">
 wtaq.com
 </a>

Vietnam Mission Goes Off Script (EPISODE #7)

 MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - In the middle of a snow and ice storm, 52 Vietnam war veterans from NE Wisconsin left Menasha high school Sunday on a journey that will lead them back to a land they couldn't wait to leave 50 years ago. 



 The Old Glory Honor Flight mission will send these men to places where they saw friends die, and suffered their own medical and mental wounds. 



 "I don't know...I guess mixed emotions. Just anxious to get going." 



 Army veteran Bob Stillman summed up the months of waiting for this day in just a few words. But has been dealing with a lot of thoughts. 



 "Well, I hope I meet some new friends and get a chance to see where I was and see what it looks like 50 years later. Meet the people and have some fun." 



 As for the emotions many of the veterans talk about....Bob Stillman appreciates it, but doesn't believe it applies to him. 



 "Otherwise those are long gone memories....they don't plague me like they have for some." 



 Air Force veteran Burt Parkman knows the emotion of this two week journey will get to him. But mostly he's tried to think ahead. 



 "What the country is like now that we worked on to destroy a long time ago, and I get to see it rebuilt." 



 But he knows that's not where it will end. And he's going to try and not get caught up in it. 



 "There's stuff over there, that's in my memory and everything. I've tried to put most of that in the rearview mirror and just go forward with life." 



 But others know what's ahead for some of the veterans. 



 "For some people they're in a different emotional place and this trip really means a lot and this trip is going to bring them some closure." 



 Burt's Parkman's daughter-in-law, Lisa Reno, say her father served in Vietnam and couldn't even think about going back on a trip this and standing on the ground where so many friendships were formed....and so many friend's lives were lost. 



 "They saw things and had to be part of some really awful stuff that most of us can't even fathom." 



 She's hoping ultimately, this journey covers a lot of bases in the heart of her father-in-law, and the rest of the vets, and they come back to NE Wisconsin better for the this trip to Vietnam. 



 "Hopefully it brings these guys some closure and they can move forward with the rest of their lives, seeing a country in a different place than they remember it as."



  The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm. 



 And you can follow the veteran's journey with daily updates, pictures, videos and more at the Return To Vietnam section at wtaq.com

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - In the middle of a snow and ice storm, 52 Vietnam war veterans from NE Wisconsin left Menasha high school Sunday on a journey that will lead them back to a land they couldn't wait to leave 50 years ago. 


 The Old Glory Honor Flight mission will send these men to places where they saw friends die, and suffered their own medical and mental wounds. 


 "I don't know...I guess mixed emotions. Just anxious to get going." 


 Army veteran Bob Stillman summed up the months of waiting for this day in just a few words. But has been dealing with a lot of thoughts. 


 "Well, I hope I meet some new friends and get a chance to see where I was and see what it looks like 50 years later. Meet the people and have some fun." 


 As for the emotions many of the veterans talk about....Bob Stillman appreciates it, but doesn't believe it applies to him. 


 "Otherwise those are long gone memories....they don't plague me like they have for some." 


 Air Force veteran Burt Parkman knows the emotion of this two week journey will get to him. But mostly he's tried to think ahead. 


 "What the country is like now that we worked on to destroy a long time ago, and I get to see it rebuilt." 


 But he knows that's not where it will end. And he's going to try and not get caught up in it. 


 "There's stuff over there, that's in my memory and everything. I've tried to put most of that in the rearview mirror and just go forward with life." 


 But others know what's ahead for some of the veterans. 


 "For some people they're in a different emotional place and this trip really means a lot and this trip is going to bring them some closure." 


 Burt's Parkman's daughter-in-law, Lisa Reno, say her father served in Vietnam and couldn't even think about going back on a trip this and standing on the ground where so many friendships were formed....and so many friend's lives were lost. 


 "They saw things and had to be part of some really awful stuff that most of us can't even fathom." 


 She's hoping ultimately, this journey covers a lot of bases in the heart of her father-in-law, and the rest of the vets, and they come back to NE Wisconsin better for the this trip to Vietnam. 


 "Hopefully it brings these guys some closure and they can move forward with the rest of their lives, seeing a country in a different place than they remember it as."


  The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5pm. 


 And you can follow the veteran's journey with daily updates, pictures, videos and more at the Return To Vietnam section at wtaq.com

Veterans Depart On Historic Journey (EPISODE #6)

Old Glory Honor Flight has created a once in a lifetime trip back to Vietnam for Northeast Wisconsin veterans.  This marks their first flight out of the United States.  "Our Vietnam vets were treated poorly upon their return and many vets feel as if they endured the horrors of war for nothing," said Old Glory Board member Scott Delsart. "This trip will give these vets an opportunity for some closure.  Seeing firsthand how the Vietnamese people have recovered from the war, will undoubtedly induce some much-needed healing for themselves." 

The two-week trip runs February 24th through March 9th, 2019.  Follow along as we provide coverage of this emotional journey.

"There's going to be a day where you're going to break down in tears. There's a lot of things going on and it's just going to happen." ~ Army veteran Jimmy Umentum of Denmark, WI

Return to Vietnam

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

15 clip(s)