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Honor Flight visits vets at nursing home

Bishop Noa Home resident and World War II veteran Frank Demars listens to letters written to him from Honor Flight Volunteer Ada Knauf Tuesday during the mail call portion of Mission XII.V of the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba. (Daily Press photo by Haley Gustafson)

ESCANABA — Veterans at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba were honored Tuesday when volunteers from the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight simulated an Honor Flight mission with the nursing home residents.

President of the U.P. Honor Flight, Scott Knauf, called the “flight” Mission XII.V because Mission XII of the U.P. Honor Flight took place last Wednesday, and he wanted to bring the mission to those who may not be able to experience a real honor flight.

“This is our way of saying thank you,” said Knauf in the introduction to the veterans. “We hope you enjoy your honor.”

The U.P. Honor Flight has been taking World War II, Korean War, and most recently, Vietnam War veterans to the memorials erected in their honor in Washington, D.C. since 2011. The all-expense paid trip for the veterans allows them and their guardians to view the World War II, Vietnam, Navy, Lincoln Memorials, and many more.

On last Wednesday’s mission of the honor flight, 74 veterans toured the nation’s capitol, and came back to Escanaba to hundreds of community members welcoming them home.

During the simulated mission Tuesday, veterans enjoyed the replicated honor flight, including the tours of the monuments via video, pilot Homer Kaufman of Delta Airlines led the flight, mail call, and a welcome home ceremony.

According to Kristy Dumase, nurse educator at Bishop Noa Home, she wanted to bring the flight to the residents because — due to health or other reasons — most of the veterans at Bishop Noa won’t be able to go on a real Honor Flight.

Dumase, who is also a veteran and the medic for the U.P. Honor Flight, said she had the idea to bring the honor flight to the residents because Armed Forces Day was celebrated over the weekend and she was looking for a way to honor the veteran residents with a special activity.

“It went better than I anticipated,” said Dumase. “This is pretty amazing.”

In all, 19 veterans were honored during Tuesday’s mission and Knauf said just coming off of the latest honor flight, the simulated session felt just as special.

“I think they really enjoyed themselves,” said Knauf. “It was the same feeling (as last Wednesday) and telling them thank you for your service.”

The next mission of the U.P. Honor Flight will take place Sept. 27, noted Knauf, and as of now the flight is full. However, if any World War II or Korean War veterans want to apply, they still can and they will be included on the next mission, added Knauf, as those veterans are given high priority.

In addition, Knauf said the honor flight is seeking free agent guardians for Mission XIII and anyone interested can visit www.upperpeninsulahonorflight.org.

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