The Mid-Michigan Honor Flight’s fall flight will take place Oct. 13. This will be the group’s sixth Honor Flight, in which it takes local WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans to Washington D.C. for a lifetime experience touring the various war memorials.

Veterans will arrive at Lake Ann Camp & Retreat Center on Oct. 12, enjoy a dinner and camaraderie with fellow heroes, then fly out of Cherry Capital Airport early Oct. 13. They will return that evening, spend a final night at Lake Ann, and depart the following morning after breakfast. Hub Vice President Diane Diehm is appreciative of this cost-effective and safe housing opportunity for veterans. “This will be our third time staying at Lake Ann, and we couldn’t be more pleased. The staff has been wonderful, and the grounds are gorgeous, especially in October,” she says.

Todd Purcell, who has volunteered with Mid-Michigan Honor Flight since its inception, notes, “We’ve always received a warm reception at the airport. Traverse City residents come out in force to honor our veterans and their enthusiasm is well received. We love to see schools, military groups, families, people of all ages coming out to send off our honorees on the trip. And when we come home, the crowd often expands and it’s really great to see how many people take the time to welcome our heroes home.”

The flight will leave Cherry Capital Airport at 9:30am. Well-wishers should plan to arrive at 8:30am for send-off. Supporters are encouraged to return to the airport at 7:30pm, with their posters, flags, banners, smiles and excitement in tow.

Flights are funded entirely through private donations. Past flights have ranged in total cost from $97,000 to $110,000. Corporate sponsors, private donations, and those wishing to volunteer may email here.