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Guardians get ready to assist veterans

Courtesy photo Louie, left, and Loren Whipple pose during the holidays last winter. Louie Whipple is an Army veteran who served in Germany between the Korean and Vietnam Wars and will be on mission XVII of the U.P. Honor Flight with his guardian, son Loren.

ESCANABA — Eighty-five veterans will be on board the U.P. Honor Flight Wednesday for Mission XVII. Each veteran has an assigned guardian to make sure the veteran has the best day possible.

One of the guardians on the trip to Washington, D.C., is Loren Whipple, son of Army veteran Louie Whipple, who served in Germany during the years between the Korean War and Vietnam War. Whipple regards his father and the Honor Flight program with great respect.

“I am honored to be my father’s guardian,” said Whipple. “And proud to be a part of it (Honor Flight).”

Before going on the flight, guardians take a class to learn the logistics of the trip. During the class Whipple learned what time to be at the airport Wednesday, which memorials they will see, what to wear, and was reminded it is not a holiday for him, but a special day for his father.

“We were told in the class not to consider it a trip for ourselves, but for our veterans, and to make it the best you can make it for them,” said Whipple.

During class one thing really stood out to Whipple.

“Hydrate, hydrate, stay hydrated. They kept telling us that,” he noted.

Besides staying hydrated, Whipple will move his father along in a wheelchair, and assist his father in keeping his blood sugar steady.

“My dad’s a diabetic. He does well on his own with his sugar count …,” Whipple said. “During the busy day I’ll be by his side making sure there will be no problems.”

Whipple has never been to Washington, D.C. before and is excited to experience it with his father.

The memorials they will see are the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, Lincoln, U.S.M.C., U.S.A.F., and the Arlington National Cemetery.

U.P. Honor Flight President Scott Knauf noted this mission is pretty much the same as previous years, except with the addition of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.

In addition to being a guardian, there are many opportunities for volunteers to support the U.P. Honor Flight: setting up before and after a flight, selling tickets at events, helping organize events, walking in parades and selling flags to raise funds, hand writing thank you notes for events and donations, and serving as a host at events. Knauf appreciates the volunteers and has a list of people he can count on.

“Currently we have a list of 60 people to count on,” said Knauf. “We packed bags yesterday and we’ll decorate the airport and hotel before the flight.”

Along with other veterans and guardians, Louie and Loren Whipple will attend a meet and greet event and dinner at the Quality Inn and Suites with family members before the flight.

U.P. Honor Flight Mission XVII will take off from Delta County Airport Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 a.m. The Van Rooy Hanger doors will open at 7 p.m. for the community to welcome the veterans home before the flight lands at 8:30 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to the community coming to the airport and welcoming them home after a long day,” said Knauf.

While waiting for the flight’s return there will be entertainment. Visit www.upperpeninsulahonorflight.org for more information.

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