Leaders of the non-profit Old Glory Honor Flight announced today the organization is rebranding the organization to Missions of Honor effective (January 1, 2026). This evolution allows the organization to continue serving veterans through a variety of special flights and events that have fallen outside the Honor Flight parameters.
“The change reflects the changing needs of our veterans,” said Chris Berkers, board president of Missions of Honor. “It allows us to support special missions, Gold Star Families, Missions Medical Corps, home visits, and more — all with shared leadership, resources, and volunteer power.”
Missions of Honor will be the umbrella organization for the Old Glory Honor Flight and will continue to do the important work already offered, but it will encompass additional flights and events in the future allowing more veterans to partake in services.
Old Glory Honor Flight was founded in 2009 by Appleton-based volunteers who wanted to honor local veterans by offering them a day-long trip to our nation’s capitol to see the memorials built in their honor. The organization provides transportation, tour, escorts, a medical team, professional photographers and plans the itinerary in Washington D.C. The day ends with family members and the community participating in a welcome home celebration at the Appleton airport. All of this at no cost to the veteran.
Since its inception, the organization has honored more than 7000 veterans and the Appleton International Airport has hosted most flights and welcome home celebrations since then.Organizers say the move is not about changing the organization, but about amplifying the experiences it offers and expanding the reach to include more veterans.
“We want to ensure that every veteran experiences honor, connection, and healing no matter when they served our country,” Berkers said.
Currently the organization hosts flights for service members from several conflicts.
Old Glory Honor Flight honors veterans who served anytime, anywhere in any branch of service prior to May 1975. Veterans who wish to go on these flights should apply at this link or visit our Facebook page. The schedule for the 2026 flights is:
Freedom to Liberty: A Mission of Healing retreat honors veterans of the Global War on Terrorism. The retreat honors veterans that served in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere in the Middle East in combat or in direct support of the combat activities. Veterans will be honored with a no-cost trip to New York City to visit the 911 Memorial and Museum, the “Freedom Tower” and the Statue of Liberty. Veterans who wish to attend these flights should apply online or visit our Facebook page. Retreat dates are:
“New York City is truly ground zero for the start of the Global War on Terror” said Missions of Honor Board member, Scott Lund. “We can all remember where we were and how we felt in the aftermath of that horrible day, but a select few signed up to do something about it, and those are the veterans we want to honor and thank.”
Flights honoring veterans of Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and beyond are coming just as soon as the memorial in DC is complete. The organization also has plans for other special missions that partner with regional and national partners and organizations honoring our veterans.
More than 90% of funds raised directly support veteran experiences and mission operations (with only about 6% going to fundraising and administration). The organization is powered by a small staff, a team of dedicated volunteers, and community support. For more information, please visit https://missionsofhonor.org
ABOUT MISSIONS OF HONOR
Mission: Honoring our Veterans, One Mission at a Time.
Missions of Honor was recently created to act as a parent organization for Old Glory Honor Flight and other missions honoring veterans of the armed forces. Originally established as Old Glory Honor Flight in 2009, the organization grew to connect veterans of WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam; flights that included missions to Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, and a flight to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. The merger will provide an expanded platform from which to honor veterans from many eras and conflicts. Missions of Honor is a 501(c)3 organization and more than 90% of donated funds go to directly support veterans.