Honor Flight expands for Korean vets

APPLETON - A program that has raised money to send World War Two veterans to Washington to see the World War Two memorial is expanding.

The Old Glory Honor Flight of Northeast Wisconsin is now taking applications for veterans from the Korean conflict.

And with an estimated 40,000 Korean War veterans across the state, organizers say the flights should fill up quickly.

Phyliss Duquette was only 18 when she joined the Air Force.

"Back in those days, you know, if a woman went into the service, it was oh oh," said Phyliss Duquette, Korean War era veteran.

The now 79-year-old spent the Korean War as a secretary at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.

She is one of the first to apply.

"Very excited about it, I think, just to see Washington," said Duquette.

The Old Glory Honor Flight has been taking World War Two veterans to Washington, D.C. for three years. 17 missions and more than 1,300 vets to date. Now Korean era vets will get their chance. The tour starts with the Korean War National Memorial.

"We'll also make sure they get an opportunity to see the World War Two, the Vietnam wall, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery," said Drew MacDonald, Old Glory Honor Flight.

Drew MacDonald says he hopes the vets will open up about their wartime experience.

"Especially when they're there with people that went through the same thing. And that's the national treasure," said MacDonald.

"The more stories that they can tell, and what they did. Can you imagine what it must have been like?" asked Duquette.

Duquette says she will take it all in, but she says the real honor should go to those who were on the front lines.

"The honor of what they did overseas, to me, it makes you really feel the tribute there so much stronger," said Duquette.

But organizers say the trip is for all.

"Whether you were state-side, or whether you were boots on-the-ground in Korea, you deserve the honor of seeing that memorial.”

An exact date has yet to be finalized, but the first flight of about 90 Korean War veterans is expected to take to the skies in June.