The Upper Peninsula Honor Flight recently completed its fifth successful mission and we’d like to thank those involved in the planning of the journey.

The Honor Flight’s goal is to bring every World War II veteran from the Upper Peninsula to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorial in their honor along with other national landmarks.

That’s a most worthy effort, indeed. A group of volunteers works diligently to raise funds for the program and through donations and fundraisers, the Honor Flight does not charge the WWII veterans a cent for the trip.

More than 400 U.P. veterans have taken part in the first five Honor Flight missions. Talk to any man or woman who’ve made the journey and you’ll no doubt hear about memorials visited, stories shared, photos taken and memories made.

Barb Van Rooy is the founder of U.P. Honor Flight and does an incredible amount of work to make each trip happen. Again, ask any veteran who has participated and he or she will speak of being treated like a VIP throughout every moment of Honor Flight.

That’s thanks to Barb and her committee, unsung community stalwarts who strive to make Honor Flight an unforgettable journey for veterans from all corners of the U.P.

The next trip will be in the spring of 2014. For more information, contact Van Rooy at 906-280-1471.

Donations for the flight are also needed. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to: Upper Peninsula Honor Flight, c/o Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula, 2420 1st Avenue, South, Suite 101, Escanaba, MI 49829

Thank you, Upper Peninsula Honor Flight for paying such beautiful tribute to The Greatest Generation, who answered when their country needed them most.

It’s our turn to return the favor: Please consider giving what you can to help Honor Flight organizers in their mission.