Milwaukee, Wis. — What started as a conversation on Charlie Sykes’ radio show became one of the most inspirational stories of the year as nearly 300 of Wisconsin’s World War II veterans were flown from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C. for a special day in their honor.
In a special hour dedicated to local men and women who served our country in World War II, TODAY’S TMJ4 (WTMJ-TV) will capture that story with “Flight of Honor: The Incredible Journey of 296 Wisconsin World War II Veterans.” The program will air at 9 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 31st.
Hosted by Charlie Sykes from Newsradio 620 WTMJ (WTMJ-AM) along with Mike Jacobs and Carole Meekins from TODAY’S TMJ4 News, “Flight of Honor” will detail how thousands of patriotic Americans here in southeastern Wisconsin helped veterans in the community complete a lifelong journey.
“It was an extraordinary show of support for an extraordinary generation,” said Sykes. “When we began, I really had no idea if we could raise this much money this quickly. But the community understood the urgency; we don’t have much time left to say thank you to the Greatest Generation.”
In partnership with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight organization presented by Kaerek Homes and Fields Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo Waukesha and Madison, Newsradio 620 WTMJ raised more than $250,000 through an on-air campaign that ran earlier this year, with the fundraising goal reached two weeks early thanks to the overwhelming generosity of listeners. The money covered the cost of sending 296 veterans on a one-day May 2nd trip from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., including airfare, transportation, food and souvenirs; tours of the WWII, Iwo Jima and Air Force memorials, and Arlington National Cemetery; and a reception at the Air and Space Museum.
TODAY’S TMJ4 and Newsradio 620 WTMJ are owned by Journal Broadcast Group.
About Journal Broadcast Group
Journal Broadcast Group owns and operates 33 radio stations and 13 television stations in 12 states and operates an additional television station under a local marketing agreement. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it is the broadcast business of Journal Communications Inc., a diversified media company with operations in publishing, radio and television broadcasting, interactive media and printing services.