Local veterans join in experience of a lifetime

Three area veterans take part in Never Forgotten Honor Flight

EMILY GOJMERAC

REPORTER

When people think of veterans, they think of the many brave men and women who have served this country.

When veterans think of veterans they have an indescribable bond that only they can understand.

Three local veterans from Rib Lake, Gilman and Medford, had the opportunity to go on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. This is the first flight of the program since it was suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19. Those on the trip boarded a plane at Central Wisconsin Airport in early morning on Monday and flew to Washington, D.C. where they toured monuments and returned home Monday night to a welcome home celebration.

Richard Gilge, of Rib Lake is a Vietnam era army veteran. He served from 1967-1968. He was a combat engineer with the first infantry division. When asked what was one thing he remembers from his experience Gilge said “I was happy to have gotten home in one piece. I had a lot of friends who didn’t make it.” Gilge’s son, Eric is currently serving and he is the battalion commander for the same battalion that his father was in during Vietnam. That is a very rare occurrence. Gilge went on this trip not only for himself but also to honor the people that lost their lives in Vietnam.

Darrell Romig, of Gilman is a Korean War era Army veteran. He served from 1953-1962. Romig said “The hardest part was the day I had to leave to get on the train, my son, Fred, was one year old and in the hospital in an oxygen tent. I was 24 years old. The spouses took the brunt of a lot of this because they had to take care of everything at home while we were gone.” Romig feels very honored to have been chosen to go on this flight and he feels a lot of gratitude to have been able to attend.

Joseph Berger, of Medford, is a Vietnam era veteran. He served in 1971. He was in the national guard for 6 years before he was called up to go to Vietnam. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. for bootcamp.

Berger said “I feel very honored to go and I am hoping to remember this experience for a long time.”

During the pre-flight dinner on Sunday evening, veterans, their wives, and their guardians were treated with a special meal, informational speeches from organization members and also other fellow veterans.

The veterans wore gold shirts, while the guardians who would accompany them on the trip, wore green shirts. Their spouses were given a corsage to wear and were recognized as well for everything they went through while their husbands were away.

There is a significant waitlist to be able to attend this flight, however, certain circumstances for veterans, such as failing health could change their waitlist position.

The trip is free for veterans with donations pouring in from area businesses, fundraising events, and anonymous donors.

The guardians must also apply and upon acceptance must pay a $500 fee and attend a mandatory training session to take part in the flight with their veteran. Applicants between the ages of 18-69 can apply to be a guardian. Husbands, wives or “significant others” of veterans cannot be their guardians.

The Never Forgotten Honor Flight has flown more than 3,576 veterans including 75 sets of brothers, 11 husband/wives & 51 Women veterans. 1,045 WWII; 1,205 KOREA; 1,326 VIETNAM ERAs and 2,140 Guardians. The only qualification for a veteran to take part in the honor flight trip is to have served in the United States Military, in any capacity anywhere, and received an honorable discharge during the following time periods: Merchant Marines—12/7/1941 to 8/15/1945; World War II (WWII) era—12/7/1941 to 12/31/1946; Korea era—6/25/1950 to 1/31/1955; Vietnam era—2/28/1961 to 5/7/1975.

The Never Forgotten Honor Flight’s vision statement is simple: A nation where all of America’s veterans experience the respect, gratitude and honor that they deserve.

If you would like to apply to be a part of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, you can apply at neverforgottenhonorfl ight.org or contact the organization at 715--

573-8519.

THE STAR NEWS

Joseph Berger

Richard Gilge

Prior to going on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, participants and their guests were treated to a reception in their honor on Sunday afternoon. Those from outside the Wausau area received a complimentary stay at a local hotel before they left on their flight early Monday morning.EMILY GOJMERAC/