MISSION XXVI OF the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight will be different from those in the past. All veterans traveling to Washington, D.C. will be women. Several local women veterans are among those taking part in the U.P. Women of Valor Flight that will depart Wednesday. Local women attending are, from left, Cheryl Griggs, U.S. Army, 1987-1989; Suzanne Scholke, U.S. Navy, 1987-2007; Mary Stolze, U.S. Army, 1969-1970; Dawn Sabey, U.S. Army National Guard, 2005-2022; Angela Reed, U.S. Army National Guard, 1999-2004; Barbara Bishop, U.S. Army, 1980-1993; and Christy Faymonville, U.S. Marine Corps, 1991-2000. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The second Upper Peninsula Honor Flight this month will be a history-making event for the non-profit.

For the first time, female veterans will fill all the seats on Mission XXVI.

The U.P. Women of Valor Flight, which departs Wednesday for Washington, D.C., will celebrate 168 women veterans of all military branches and dates of service.

“It will also be the largest all-women honor flight in the nation,” said U.P. Honor Flight President Scott Knauf, adding about 19 women are from the Iron Mountain area.

While normally each veteran is accompanied by a guardian on the flight, this mission is different, Knauf said. “The older women veterans will partner up with those younger — they’re going to be service sisters,” he explained.

U.P HONOR FLIGHT President Scott Knauf accepts a $16,184 donation from the Dickinson County 100-Plus Women Who Care. The funds will go toward jackets, T-shirts, fanny packs and meals for the upcoming all-woman Upper Peninsula Honor Flight. Presenting Knauf with the check are, from left, Sherri Erickson, Jessica Stewart and Lynne McClure. (Submitted photo)

Veterans taking part in the journey range in age from 22 to 85.

“We have one woman who got out of the service on May 1 and is going with us,” Knauf said.

The one-day trip will make its normal tour stops in the nation’s capital area, which includes a highlight of the changing of the guard at the Arlington National Cemetery gate.

Arrangements have been for the women to spend more time at the Military Women’s Memorial, Knauf said.

They will also have some surprises in store for the women that day.

“I’m very excited for this flight, not just to be going on the Honor Flight itself but to be able to be with all my sisters-in-arms,” said Christy Faymonville, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1991 to 2000. “I never thought I would be able to see the monuments with a plane full of women veterans.”

Faymonville thanked the U.P. Honor Flight organization and Knauf. “I think we are going to have a great time and we feel so honored to be able to do it,” she said.

Mary Stolze, who served as a U.S. Army nurse in Vietnam from 1969-1970, is also looking forward to sharing her experience with her fellow sisters.

“I’m very happy that women in the military are finally getting some recognition,” Stolze said.

The Upper Peninsula Honor Flight earlier this year were chosen to receive a $16,184 donation from the Dickinson County 100-Plus Women Who Care. The funds will go toward the specially designed jackets, T-shirts and fanny packs veterans receive, with the remainder used for meals.

The five women committee members of the U.P. Women of Valor Flight Board chose the colors and design for the apparel.

Knauf expressed his appreciation for the funds and its importance, especially for this flight because they will not have the guardian donations to assist with expenses.

“The people of the U.P. have supported this program so wonderfully and that is why the flights can continue,” Stolze said.

The U.P. Honor Flight will host a banquet for attendees Tuesday to prepare them for the trip. Mission XXVI will depart at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday from Escanaba and returns about 8:30 p.m., both Eastern time.

The idea for this flight came last year, after board member Kim Knauf Wyckoff took part in the Mid-Michigan all-women honor flight.

“We put it out there to see if there was any interest — it took off like crazy,” Knauf said. “We received so many applications. We have a wait list.”

If the region has enough interest for another all-women flight, they will plan another one at a future date.

The non-profit organization was created in 2011 by Barb Van Rooy of Gladstone to honor American veterans for their sacrifices. After seeing the interest and support for the inaugural honor flight, Van Rooy did another, seeing a total of nine before retiring. Knauf took over as president in 2015.

The original flight was limited to World War II veterans, which included local resident the late Gloria Boyce, who served with the U.S. Navy WAVES.

“I remember Gloria — her voice is on one of the interviews from that day,” Knauf said.

The Upper Peninsula Honor Flight is one of 131 hubs in 43 states. They have completed 25 flights for more than 1,900 veterans from across the U.P. Altogether, the hubs nationwide have brought more than 270,000 veterans to Washington to see the memorials built in their honor.

The U.P. Honor Flight is 100% volunteer, as well as 100% donation driven. They receive no funding from the government.

The average cost is $140,000 for each mission, carrying 80 veterans, 80 companions and 15 support crew members, which includes the flight, apparel, meals and tour bus in Washington, D.C.

“All expenses for veterans are paid,” Knauf said. “We are able to continue because of the tremendous support we receive.”

The U.P. Honor Flight is also looking for individuals, businesses or organizations interested in hosting a fundraiser in the Dickinson County area. Anyone interested can call 906-280-2871.

They are currently partnering with the state of Michigan and talking about an All Native American flight in the fall of 2026 that will include two other hubs in lower Michigan.

Anyone interested in taking part in the All Native American flight is encouraged to go to the U.P. Honor Flight website and fill out an application. He noted to indicate All Native American Flight at the top of the application.