Started at 14 years old, her campaign total of over $140,000 will send
82 veterans to Washington, D.C. on June 18
ARLINGTON, Va. (June 9, 2022) – The first all-Vietnam veteran Honor Flight trip from Michigan will land in Washington, D.C. on June 18 thanks to the extraordinary support of a local teen. Alice Kraatz of Kalamazoo began fundraising for the trip when she was only 14 years old. Now 17, Kraatz has raised more than $140,000—enough to sponsor the entire plane of veterans travelling to the nation’s capital to experience the memorials built in their honor.
Kraatz proposed the all-Vietnam veteran trip while serving as the Michigan State President of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) from 2019-2020. She sold MIA/POW bracelets to raise money and recruited other youth organizations to join her campaign by collecting bottles and cans, hosting yard sales, and asking for sponsorships.
“The State Project I led during my term was called ‘To Honor, To Remember,’ and its goal was to raise money to put Vietnam veterans on the Honor Flight, with the intent of filling the plane,” recalls Kraatz. “Sending an Honor Flight devoted solely to Vietnam veterans will allow us to give them the recognition and honor that they deserve.”
The trip, named “C.A.R. Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight,” will take the veterans to Arlington National Cemetery to participate in a wreath-laying, then to the National Mall to visit the memorials honoring those who served. The veterans will receive the Vietnam War Commemorative Pin during a special pinning ceremony at 2:50 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. On their flight home, the veterans will receive letters from loved ones and supporters to read during one-last “Mail Call.” Trip organizers also have special plans to give the veterans the proper homecoming that so many in their generation never received.
The Honor Flight Network’s Lone Eagle program, which coordinates trips for veterans who live outside the reach of the organization’s more than 130 hubs, is organizing the trip in cooperation with local hubs Mid-Michigan Honor Flight and Talons Out Honor Flight.
“The veterans returning from Vietnam did not receive the same kind of homecoming that was given to veterans of previous generations and, in too many cases, our Vietnam veterans experienced rejection and anger,” said Bobbie Bradley, the Chief Operating Officer of the Honor Flight Network. “We can’t change what happened half-a-century ago, but we can do something about the present. As long as there are Vietnam veterans among us, it is not too late to thank them.”
The Honor Flight Network brings veterans to Washington, D.C. at no cost to the veterans. Formed in 2005, the network has provided the once-in-a-lifetime experience to more than 250,000 veterans.
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About Honor Flight Network
The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 with a mission of honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, DC to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 130 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission. In addition to World War II veterans, the organization transports those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent service eras. Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 250,000 veterans to Washington D.C. For more information, visit honorflight.org.
Arlington, Va. (5/27/22) — An all-women Honor Flight trip will tour the newly re-opened Military Women’s Memorial at the gates of Arlington National Cemetery on June 1, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. The 109 women veterans will travel from Orlando, Fla. with Villages Honor Flight, the local hub of the Honor Flight Network that has brought more than a quarter million veterans to see the national memorials built in their honor. The veterans on this trip will be among the first to see the Memorial since it re-opened to the public on May 27 after six months of renovations.
Available Interviews:
Anticipated Visuals:
Earlier this month, the Honor Flight Network commemorated serving its 250,000th veteran. The Military Women’s Memorial also marks a milestone this year, celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
Media wishing to cover the visit or schedule interviews may contact Daniel Gregory, dgregory@susandavis.com, 215-285-4137.
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About the Military Women’s Memorial
The Military Women’s Memorial is the only historical repository documenting the service of all women who’ve served in and with the nation’s military, beginning with the American Revolution. Located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, it features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories and artifacts, and engaging programs and events for all generations.
The year 2022 commemorates the twenty-five years since the Military Women’s Memorial was dedicated and opened to the public, October 18, 1997 – still America’s only major memorial to honor and tell the stories of all of the nation’s women who have served in and with our military, beginning with the American Revolution. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.
About Honor Flight Network
The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 with a mission of honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, DC to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 130 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission. In addition to World War II veterans, the organization transports those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent service eras. Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 250,000 veterans to Washington D.C. For more information, visit honorflight.org.
INDIANAPOLIS (05/26/22) The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) and Honor Flight Network are proud to announce a partnership that will support essential caregivers of Honor Flight participants.
2021-2022 ALA National President Kathy Daudistel has placed focus on uplifting caregivers, especially those of military and veterans. Daudistel is extending this support by promoting caregiver assistance for veterans participating on an Honor Flight trip. This support, funded by donations through the ALA’s poppy program, will help offset the cost of a veteran’s caregiver to accompany the veteran on his or her Honor Flight as they provide essential services such as assistance with the veteran’s activities of daily living or ADL’s.
The ALA’s poppy fund program has played an essential role in increasing veterans’ welfare and rehabilitation across the United States. ALA departments (states) and units are encouraged to use their poppy funds to support this initiative.
ALA poppy funds may be donated directly in support of Honor Flight without departments or units needing a separate MOA. The funds may be distributed to any of the 130 regional Honor Flight Hubs or directly to the Honor Flight Network at www.honorflight.org.
Each Honor Flight Hub is an independently operated 501(c)(3). In prior years, ALA poppy funds have been used by Honor Flight Hubs to cover costs toward veteran welfare and rehabilitation.
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About Honor Flight Inc.
Founded in 2005, the Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the men and women of all service eras who served and sacrificed for our country. Priority status is given to those who served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and veterans of any other service eras who are critically ill. The Honor Flight Network is comprised of approximately 130 independently operated hubs across the United States, each working together to provide veterans with a sense of honor and respect from a grateful nation. The Honor Flight Network serves more than 25,000 veterans annually with this “trip of a lifetime.” Honored veterans travel free of charge thanks to donations to the organization.
About the American Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. Our members also support the mission of The American Legion in improving the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. Proud sponsor of ALA Girls Nation, National Poppy Day® and recognized for advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill, the nearly 600,000 ALA members across the country volunteer millions of hours annually and raise millions of dollars in service to veterans, military, and their families. Founded in 1919, the ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the U.S.A. To learn more and to volunteer, join, and donate, visit www.alaforveterans.org.
FOX NEWS – Shannon Bream and Kevin Corke salute Honor Flight and American veterans during the Midnight Hero segment.
