Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Stars and Stripes Honor Flight has taken 2,239 veterans from southeastern Wisconsin to see the WWII Memorial and other memorials in Washington, DC. The film documenting their stories continues to draw attention.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Editor's note: The following information is taken from a press release provided by Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. The documentary film that follows the story of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight was picked to be the Opening Night Film at the fourth annual Naples International Film Festival in Naples, FL on Nov. 1. Organizers of the Naples Film Festival say they are excited to host the East coast premiere of "The Story of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight," a powerful feature-length documentary that chronicles one community’s mission to honor the rapidly diminishing numbers of World War II veterans before they are gone. The festival will sell 1,300 tickets for the opening night film and party at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples. …
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Only about 2,000 tickets are left for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Field of Honor event, set for Saturday in Miller Park. A group's documentary will premiere, with flyovers, Leap Frogs sky diving and more.
Stars and Stripes Honor Flight was aiming big with plans for its Field of Honor event on Saturday — meant to bring together thousands of veterans as well as feature the world premiere of the organization's documentary — but news of the ticket sales are making the event even bigger. With 30,393 tickets sold as of late Friday afternoon, the event is on par to beat the Guiness Book of World Records for a movie premiere attendance — which is currently at 27,022 for a soccer film in Brazil, according to a press release from the group. "We need people to stay through the credits or they will be deducted from the total ... and we have an awesome post-movie, 15-minute program," said founder Joe Dean, who is also a Port Washington alderman. "We …
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Musical artist and Milwaukee-native Grace Weber has been added to the entertainment at the Field of Honor event at Miller Park on August 11.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Lisa Sink
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight event planners are moving full steam ahead with announcements of more partnerships and entertainment for its Field of Honor event, set for August 11 in Miller Park. The first big move comes from the Wisconsin-based chain Culver's, who's Milwaukee-area locations are donating money to the Field of Honor event and also sponsored the group's flight on June 2; Stars and Stripes Honor Flight hit 2,000 veterans served on that flight. "We are grateful to have the support of Culver's," said Joe Dean, chairman of the board for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. "These 40 Culver's restaurants will also step up in a big way on July 18 when they donate a percent of their sales to SSHF." The group is also excited to …
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Lt. Col. Henry Ratenski flew an 18-hour mission after the atomic bombs were dropped to seal the end of WWII.
He spoke of men of glory who earned their stars from heroic acts — men like Hap Halloran, Pappy Boyington and Jim Smith. They are all gone now. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 1,100 World War II veterans pass away every day. So it was no wonder that people came to hear Lt. Col. Henry Ratenski (USAF Retired), a Brookfield resident, present “The Secret Last Mission of WWII” at the Brookfield Public Library on Thursday evening. Ratenski in his dress blues with a decorated chest, stood fit and straight as if a man decades younger. “It’s my diet control,” he joked about being able to fit into a uniform that’s more that six decades old. “I’m too cheap and I don’t want to buy a new one, so I make sure I always fit into this one…
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day ceremonies in Brookfield honored those who died serving their country.
Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Dr, hosted Memorial Day ceremonies to remember and honor those who died serving their country. The park flew The Avenue of the Flags, an impressive display of approximately 1,500 American flags that were laid on the burial caskets of American Veterans. The Avenue of the Flags are displayed several times each year at the specific spot corresponding to the grave of the veteran whose name is on the flag pole. Among the groups who participated in Monday's ceremonies were Boy Scout Troop 55 in Brookfield, members of the VFW Post 1691 and VFW Post 2923, Timmerman Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Color Guard, Milwaukee Letter Carriers' NALC Branch 2 band, and the Runge-Graham VFW Post 1691.
A ceremony at Visitation Cemetery honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Members of the Stenz-Griesell-Smith American Legion Post 449 held a special graveside service on Monday as part of Memorial Day festivities. Additional Memorial Day coverage can be found here with photos of ceremonies held at Wisconsin Memorial Park.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Numerous ceremonies planned in Brookfield, Elm Grove to remember and honor those who served our country.
Monday is Memorial Day and there are plenty of events to not only celebrate a day off work with family and friends but also honor those who served in our nation's military and for some, gave the ultimate sacrifice during war time. Here is a rundown of events planned for the long weekend: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr. — Newsradio 620 WTMJ will be broadcasting live from the grounds. There will be free hamburgers and 1,500 flags flown in the Avenue of the Flags. The Great Memorial Building also will be open for tours. 9:30 a.m.: Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr. — Marine Corps League Memorial Service in Garden of Eternal Life. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr. — …
Monday, May 16, 2011
A short video montage of last weekend's welcome home for WWII veterans who traveled to D.C. memorial sites on an Honor Flight.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Lisa Sink
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Monday, May 16, 2011
More than 100 WWII veterans were welcomed home from an Honor Flight Saturday night with a Color Guard, bagpipes, homemade signs and cheers from people who packed General Mitchell International Airport. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight plans to fly another group of veterans in September, if it raises enough donations. Spring Bank in Brookfield is hosting donations, with $110,000 raised toward a goal of $150,000.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Eight Brookfield veterans were among more than 100 who traveled to Washington D.C.-area memorials Saturday on a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.
More than 100 WWII veterans, including eight from Brookfield, visited Washington D.C. memorial sites Saturday as part of the 10th Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Thousands of people welcomed them back at General Mitchell International Airport Saturday night, waving flags and homemade signs. Cheers and tears were abundant as a crowd greeted veterans who included Brookfield residents George Collura and Elmer Meyers. Meyers got to travel with his son, George Meyers, of Oconomowoc, who called the trip an incredible experience. Collura's family greeted him with hugs. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight plans to fly another group of veterans in September, if it raises enough donations. Spring Bank in Brookfield is hosting donations, with $110,…
Lisa Sink
9:40 pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sure! I noticed it said more than 525 people attended the breakfast last year. Sounds like a great event. more ›