Last week, our long-time teammate, Mike Schlais, served as a guardian on the 42nd Never Forgotten Honor Flight. The non-profit organization provides central and northern Wisconsin veterans with “closure, gratitude & respect, by flying them to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials” and other landmarks, at no cost.

 

Mike learned of the program through his sister, who works as the organization’s graphic designer. Their father, Emil (Steve) Schlais, is a Vietnam War era Army veteran, who’s been on the Honor Flight’s veteran waiting list for a few years. When Emil’s turn came to take his Honor Flight, Mike jumped at the chance to join him as a guardian, and Wisconsin Metal Fab happily sponsored his trip.

 

Their Honor Flight took place on Monday, October 03, 2022, serving 104 veterans and the guardians who care for and assist them throughout the trip. Among the many sites the group visited were the various war memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Monument, and the Pentagon. They also got to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a very special moment for all of the Honor Flight participants. Of the experience, Mike said, “my favorite thing that I got to see on the trip was all the veterans getting their own day.”

 

Never Forgotten Honor Flight is an affiliate of the Honor Flight Network, a group which began operations in 2005. Never Forgotten Honor Flight is based in Wausau, WI and facilitates four flights per year, with priority given to senior veterans. Each flight is provided at no cost to the veterans themselves. To learn more about this program and how you can donate, volunteer, or participate in a flight, visit https://neverforgottenhonorflight.com/.