Johnston-Blessman Post 38

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Appleton American Legion Post 38 had the distinct honor of presenting Ms. Diane MacDonald, Executive Director, Old Glory Honor Flight (OGHF) in Appleton, WI with a check for $7,500 to fly veterans to their national memorials in Washington, DC.

Diane has been with the Old Glory Honor Flight for over 15 years, and she recalled her first encounter with American Legion Post 38. MacDonald related how the partnership with Post 38 began with a small “$10.00 donation.” Diane recalled that donation during her visit to the Post, “…wasn’t what I expected, but OK, it’s a start.”

That initial donation set the wheels in motion for Post 38 to do more. Answering the call to service in supporting fellow veterans, our partnership with Old Glory Honor Flight over the years has expanded significantly in raising funds so veterans can take their trips to their memorials. The Appleton Community has equally supported Post 38 in accomplishing its goals, and this years’ Brat Fry Extravaganza on August 21, 2024, raised an impressive $7,500.

Since its inception, the Old Glory Honor Flight has flown 7,000 veterans to see their memorial in Washington DC. The first veterans flown out of the Fox Valley in 2009 were World War II veterans. Sadly, due to delays in constructing their memorial, many of these same veterans did not have the opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their service. Additionally, the chaperones who accompanied these veterans were Vietnam veterans, and they wanted to ensure the WWII veterans saw their memorial before it was too late.

On June 6, 2024, Old Glory Honor Flight, working in conjunction with American Airlines, flew sixty-eight veterans to Normandy, for the D-Day remembrance event. As Diane stated, “the average age of these veterans was 100.”

Currently, OGHF is looking for Korean and Vietnam veterans to place them on the flight wait list. Any honorably discharged veteran, regardless of where they served (overseas or stateside), whose service is prior to May 7, 1975, can apply to be placed on the list for their flight. This year, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the Old Glory Honor Flight will fly Mission 70.

Ms. MacDonald informed Post 38 members during the membership meeting, with the $7,500 donation, it will allow fifteen veterans to fly free of charge to Washington, DC to see their memorials. Post 38 is extremely grateful to its members for their hard work and the many hours of dedication in making this year’s Brat Fry a tremendous success. We are equally humbled for the support of the Appleton community who came out in mass supporting the American Legion Post 38 family, and all the wonderful partners who made this year’s event an enormous success.

                                                

Thank you to all who came out on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, and supported our fundraiser for the Old Glory Honor Flight, Appleton.

Your generosity helped us surpass last year’s amount by over $500, for a total of $6,516!!! What an accomplishment and it could not have happened without all our faithful patrons and businesses who supported this fundraising event.

Additionally, we also want to thank all of those who spent countless hours putting this fundraising event together, those who dedicated their time and talents in ensuring this went off without a hitch and most of all those wonderful cooks who provided all with deliciously prepared food. Outstanding job!!

The funds raised will be presented at an official meeting in the weeks to come.

Again, thank you from the Appleton American Legion, Post 38 family!

To learn more about this worthwhile organization and how it supports our veterans, please visit here: Old Glory Honor Flight, Inc

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Page Updated: 1 APRIL 2025