Squadron 21 Iron River/Stambaugh raises funds for UP Honor Flight

IRON RIVER -- Iron River/Stambaugh Reino Squadron 21 recently conducted a raffle and fundraiser for the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight and were able to contribute more than $650.

State of Michigan Commander John Beeman accepted the check on behalf of the Honor Flight from Legion Duel Member Bob Gallup, who made a very special American Legion clock he carved out of white pine, Michigan's state tree, that was raffled off.

Upper Peninsula Honor Flight is a non-profit that raises money to send veterans who served from 1941 to May 1975 to see the memorials in Washington D.C. that stand to honor them. There are two flights a year.

A flight from the U.P. costs between $125,000 and $135,000. The entire tour is free for veterans. After a full day in the nation's capital, the contingent returns to Escanaba, greeted by throngs of well-wishers.

Since U.P. Honor Flight went on its first mission in September 2011, under the guidance of its founder Barb Van Rooy and a hard-working group of volunteers, more than 1,000 veterans have made the trip at no cost to them.

Current U.P. Honor Flight President Scott Knauf and his committee do an outstanding job fundraising and keeping the flights in the public's mind throughout the year.