 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

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