In early 2008, a group of Wisconsin volunteers started the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Program to fly Southeast Wisconsin World War II veterans to Washington, DC so they could visit the World War II Memorial and other area memorials honoring their era of service. With World War II veterans passing away, one every 90 seconds, time was of the essence. Milwaukee is one of five honor flight hub locations in Wisconsin, all part of the country's Honor Flight Network.
The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight flew its first charter of 137 veterans to their Memorial in November 2008. The program has been a great success and today includes Korean War and terminally ill veterans from all conflicts. Chartered 747s, with up to 300 veterans at a time, are flown to Washington, DC, some four times a year.
Recently, a Wisconsin Veterans Pillar of Honor Memorial has been completed, located in Port Washington, Wisconsin, fronting Lake Michigan. It has been dedicated to honor the program, veterans, and volunteers. Brick sections for special honors are a part of the Memorial, one of which was donated by Col. (Ret) Warren R. Stumpe, Class of 1945, to memorialize all West Point graduates who have died for their country (photographed).