We Energies employees and the We Energies Foundation helped provide military veterans with a memorable trip to Washington, D.C., on April 25 as part of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight’s 85th mission.
“We consider it an honor to pay tribute to military heroes by supporting Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Every moment of the journey, from takeoff to landing, showcases our deep admiration and respect for those who have served our nation,” said Beth Straka, president — We Energies Foundation, which sponsored the flight.
The group included 50 veterans — two from World War II, 11 from the Korean War, and 37 from the Vietnam War and Vietnam Era — along with their guardians. They started the day early at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, where more than 100 volunteers welcomed them, including more than a dozen employees from We Energies and its sister utilities in Minnesota and Illinois.
Employees welcomed veterans, helped with check-in, guided them through the photo area, served coffee and breakfast, and spent time visiting before the flight’s departure.
The veterans then boarded their plane and made their way to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials built in their honor: the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall and more. The day also included viewing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Veterans then boarded their flight home where they were treated to “mail call” and given envelopes full of letters, drawings and pictures from family, friends and We Energies employees.
Employee Ann Wendt, a regular volunteer with the organization, shared, “I think this was the largest batch of thank-you cards I have seen. There was a wide variety of heartfelt sentiments of gratitude shared by employees and their extended families. The time and effort that goes into creating the cards further underscores our company’s support of the veterans who participate in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flights.”
At the end of the evening, veterans were treated to a homecoming parade that started with a silent salute by military personnel as the veterans exited the plane before becoming a loud, jubilant party of hundreds of well-wishers welcoming the veterans’ home.
A dozen additional We Energies volunteers were present at the airport to help coordinate the crowd and guide veterans to their families for reunions.
Employee Barbara Shaefer noted, “It was an honor to be a part of it! I had one veteran tell me, upon hearing ‘thank you for your service,’ that ‘you’re worth it!’ I have never heard that before, and I was touched by that.”
Two employees, David Walter and Lincoln Oro, accompanied the veterans as guardians in Washington, D.C.
“This Honor Flight Day reminds me of the best of what Americans are known for: generous, freedom-loving, doing the right thing with honor, without thinking of cost. American magnanimous optimism on display and in action,” Lincoln said.
“This was such an amazing experience,” Walter said, “I hope everyone who is able takes the time to participate at least once, as it is something I will never forget.”