October 28, 2025 – Washington Co., WI – Twelve veterans from Washington County, WI, will be on board Saturday’s Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Three planes will participate in the Honor Flight’s 84th mission, scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Vietnam Army Michael Hoeft of Kewaskum will be on Saturday’s flight. Hoeft flew on helicopters CH-47 resupplying
Vietnam Army Russell Kleinke of Kewaskum will be flying with his niece as a guardian; she was born the day Kleinke left for Vietnam.
Vietnam Army Arthur Winkels Jr. of Jackson was a medic, served in Germany
Vietnam Navy John Feiereisen of West Bend, WI.
Vietnam Army Donald Penkoske of Kewaskum served in the United States Army Reserve from Sept. 11, 1970 to May 14, 2004.
Vietnam Marines Bruce Weninger of Kewaskum
Vietnam Marines Mark Davis of Slinger was a cook in the service.
Vietnam Army Donald Thill of West Bend served as Military Police.
Vietnam Army Michael Benson of West Bend
Vietnam Navy Gene Goll of West Bend worked on aircraft in the service.
Vietnam Army Albert Mesa of West Bend worked field artillery with 82nd Airborne
Vietnam Army Michael Dunn of Jackson
This “Flight of Champions” will honor approximately 165 Korean War, Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans from northeast, southeast and east central Wisconsin with a one day, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built to recognize their service and sacrifice, and to experience a full day of honor and thanks for their efforts.
“It is an honor to be a part of this mission with our fellow pro sports teams from Wisconsin,” said Green Bay Packers President and CEO, Ed Policy. “All of our teams have great respect and gratitude for those who have served, and are serving, in our military. That’s why we are so excited to continue playing a small role in ensuring these veterans have a great day in D.C.”
Early in the morning of November 1, a plane of veterans, guardians and Green Bay Packers alumni will depart from Green Bay’s Austin-Straubel International Airport. Simultaneously, two planeloads of veterans, guardians and representatives from the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks will depart from Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport.
When the three planes arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport on flight day, the veterans, their guardians and team representatives will spend the day touring Washington.
The tour will include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Marine Corps/Iwo Jima Memorial and the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
Making this day even more special is that on November 1, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight will welcome its 11,000th veteran to take this trip of honor since 2008.
“We are thrilled to welcome the 11,000th veteran to take this journey of healing, closure and gratitude with us since 2008,” said Karyn Roelke, president of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. “It has been an incredible honor to thank so many veterans, and we look forward to honoring thousands more local veterans in the years to come.”
“The Brewers, along with our partners the Packers and Bucks, have long-standing commitments to giving back to those veterans who call Wisconsin home,” said Brewers President – Business Operations, Rick Schlesinger.
“There is no greater honor than supporting them as they make this incredible Flight of Champions journey. Throughout the many years we’ve worked with Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, we know what an outstanding job they do, and we know this will be a memorable experience for the honored veterans and all of us involved with this effort.”
“We thank our family, friends and neighbors for their bravery and sacrifice and dedicating their lives to protecting us,” said Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks. “The Milwaukee Bucks are proud to team up with the Packers and Brewers to create a memorable trip and experience for those who served so courageously in our military.”
“In the past, many of our veterans returned home to little gratitude or fanfare,” Roelke said. “Many of our Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans came home to disinterest, or even a hostile reception. What an honor it will be to finally welcome them home properly and hopefully replace some of those difficult memories with positive ones.”
Melisa Young, County Veterans Service Officer, agreed. “This honor and validation from the community, Packers, Brewers and Bucks, will encourage even more veterans to sign up for these flights and encourage them to seek out their VA benefits from their local county and tribal veterans service offices.”
Members of the public are encouraged to mark the evening of November 1 on their calendars and go to Austin Straubel International Airport (6 p.m. arrival) or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (7 p.m. arrival) to welcome the veterans upon their return home.
“We want to give our veterans a return home that they will remember for a lifetime,” said Roelke. “It’s a way to say thanks to these men and women who gave so much to our country. The festivities are always outstanding and as memorable for the public as they are for the veterans.”
This will be the final Stars and Stripes Honor Flight for 2025, with the 2026 schedule to be announced in January. As an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff and no offices, the organization is proud to share that more than $.97 of every donated dollar goes directly to flying and honoring veterans.
