Nekoosa veteran among the almost-100 to board Wausau’s 58th Never Forgotten Honor Flight

CENTRAL WISCONSIN – The Never Forgotten Honor Flight organization based in Wausau flew 98 veterans from central and northern Wisconsin to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials that honor their service on Oct. 26. It’s the organization’s 58th flight since the first Never Forgotten Honor Flight took place April 4, 2010.
There were 96 Vietnam-era veterans on the flight - among them was Nekoosa’s John Payson, a former Marine who served from 1966-1970. One Korea-era veteran was aboard the plane, and one WWII veteran: 101-year-old Paul Donatell.
A pre-flight dinner and USO show honoring the veterans and guardians and their spouses was held on Oct. 25.
Wausau’s Never Forgotten Honor Flight has flown 5,482 veterans to Washington, D.C. All veterans that served prior to May 7, 1975 are encouraged to submit an application (via www.neverforgottenhonorflight.com or by calling 715-573-8519). The only criteria for veterans to qualify for the Never Forgotten Honor Flight is to have served (active duty, reserves or National Guard) prior to May 7, 1975, regardless of where they served.