Annual Oshkosh Fly-In Will Honor Vietnam Vets For First Time

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is hosting its annual fly-in this week.

For the first time an honor flight will leave Oshkosh loaded with Vietnam veterans. The honor flight leaves Oshkosh this Thursday with veterans who will tour the Vietnam memorial wall and other monuments in Washington DC.

Dick Knapinski is an EAA spokesman. He says honor flights have been popular with World War II vets and now is the time to give a later generation its due.

“They’re welcoming Vietnam vets for the very first time, for a couple of reasons. One, to honor those vets, and two, because many of the World War II vets have already made the flights, who are able to take the flights.”

World War II vets will also have a presence at the fly-in. Members of the Texas Flying Legends Museum will share their personal stories about the war. Several military aircraft known as “warbirds” will do exhibition flights. This year will also feature eleven “warbirds” that have never been on display at EAA before.