As part of our special series, Freedom Honor Flight: Wings to Washington, WEAU 13 News has taken you along on the latest Freedom Honor Flight out of La Crosse.

The organization gives our World War II veterans a chance to see America’s gratitude for their services.

But, as we found, the program couldn’t exist without help from people like you.

For starters, each flight requires a number of volunteer guardians who travel with the veterans.

"Volunteers are very important,“ said Cheryl Higgins, with Freedom Honor Flight. “That's the only way we can do this, we are totally non-profit, all volunteer based."

"I think it's a great honor to be here with these men and women,“ added volunteer guardian, John Michels. “I just get a tear in my eye thinking about this piece of history."

Freedom Honor Flight organizers pair each volunteer with a few veterans. They lend a hand…and an ear…all throughout the day.

"For me to be able to share that experience at the World War II Memorial with World War II veterans is the highlight of my life,” said volunteer guardian, Jenny Frandsen.

"It's just a great overall experience,“ Higgins added. “I mean, you meet new people, they tell you stories. They get the welcome that they never got before."

Including this flight, Freedom Honor Flight has taken more than 400 area World War II veterans to see their memorials. Even so, more than 300 others are still on the waiting list.

"We're going to be able to reach as many as we can,“ Higgins said. “We find the longer we participate in the program that we are losing a few because they do die rapidly at this age. But we're getting as many as we can."

Organizers say your donation -- big or small -- can help reach that goal. Help reach more of our veterans.

"I think it's very good,“ said Michael Gwiazda from Thorp. “I believe people should donate a little more and keep this program going."

"It's a very worthwhile program and there's not very many of these gentlemen and ladies left and I think they’ve just got to do whatever they can to get them all here,” added volunteer guardian, Larry Strange.

So, as our heroes came home to fanfare and fireworks, they returned with more than just memories. They returned knowing just how much we appreciate them.

"I am so proud of everyone that put this together and all the people that worked on this and all the men and women that served in the armed services,“ said a family member at the welcome home ceremony. “God bless them and God bless America.”

The next Freedom Honor Flight out of La Crosse is scheduled for June 19th. It’ll be part of the city’s Freedom Fest celebration.

That flight has been filled with veterans and guardians, but you can get on the organization’s waiting list.

For more information, call (608) 784-1015.

The Freedom Honor Flight organization serves veterans in 22 counties across western Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota and northern Iowa.

Depending on where you or your World War II veteran lives, you can contact other Honor Flight Network groups around the state of Wisconsin.

Here’s a list of phone numbers:

Stars & Stripes Honor Flight (Milwaukee Region)
262-238-7740

Badger Honor Flight (Madison Region)
608-835-8604

Old Glory Honor Flight (Appleton/Green Bay Region)
888-635-9838

Never Forgotten Honor Flight (Wausau Region)
715-573-8519

You can send donations to the Freedom Honor Flight organization out of La Crosse to this address:

P.O. Box 505
La Crosse, WI 54602-0505