Latest news with #Mid-MichiganHonorFlight
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam veterans prepare to go on mid-Michigan Honor Flight
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — Next week, dozens of Michigan veterans will be in our nation's capital as part of the mid-Michigan honor flight. It's especially meaningful for two West Michigan veterans, because they weren't fully appreciated when they returned home from Vietnam. One group of veterans get together weekly at Marge's Donut Den. They're all dealing with PTSD. Ismael Figueroa, of Wyoming, doesn't just go for himself. 'Some of them are hurting. I like to go because I can learn from them, but I can also share, and I feel I can help, just by talking to them,' said Figueroa. 52 years later, Navy veteran finally gets his service medals Figueroa was 21 years old when he was drafted and sent to Vietnam — a long, divisive war. 'Absolutely nothing. They tell you nothing until you land in Vietnam and they open the door,' he said. But this mechanic who took care of the hydraulics, electronic, anything to do with the firing of the weapon, would soon find out. 'When you get in Vietnam, the one thing they do tell you: If you can make it for 90 days, your odds on surviving Vietnam are great.' Not only were Figueroa and his buddies fighting to stay alive, they were also dealing with heartache from home. 'In Vietnam, you get 'Dear John' letters, which me and Frank got one, Frank wanted to shoot himself … and I talked him out of it. You got guys that got divorce papers. Can you imagine getting divorce papers and you're in the middle of a war?' Figueroa said. Middle schooler raises funds for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight 'When the deserters were going to Canada to get out of the draft or to get out of going to Vietnam, I could've gone there legally,' said John Racicot, of Caledonia, who wasn't even a U.S. citizen when he was sent to war. But he didn't. 'No. I had been in the United States at the time for nine years, it's your duty,' he said. 'It wasn't pleasant, you never knew, just never knew what would happen.' He knew quickly he needed help. 'Once you got in country, you learn religion real fast, because then it's real,' Racicot said. Figueroa and Racicot were ready to go home but some Americans weren't ready for them. 'Nobody approaches you; they keep their distance,' explained Racicot. 'There was no party. It was basically business as usual. I don't think my dad ever said anything about welcome home,' said Figueroa. Figueroa, who was told to not even wear his uniform home, knows it was worse for others. 'You're in a war, you're doing what you're told, you're serving your country, and you've got these certain people treating you like trash,' Figueroa said. But he feels the love and support of his son, also named Ismael Figueroa, who is a veteran as well. 'You were there every time I came home,' Figueroa said to his father. A Mother's Mission: Honoring her fallen son by helping heroes He'll be his dad's guardian for the mid-Michigan honor flight. They'll be among dozens of veterans who will be in our nation's capitol seeing the memorials dedicated to them. 'It's an honor to go,' said the older Figueroa. 'I was surprised and honored,' said Racicot. After waiting several years, Racicot also got the call. He'll be going with his grandson. 'I want to show my grandson what happened there,' he said. While the older Figueroa and Racicot have heard stories about the honor flight, they don't know how they'll react. Figueroa will soon be back at his weekly gathering to talk about his experience on the honor flight. While his family wasn't there to greet him when he returned home from war, they'll be there when he gets back from the honor flight. 'They deserve this, they deserve that recognition, he's my world,' said the father Figueroa's wife. Be sure to tune in Sunday after News 8 at six to watch Vietnam: A Lost Generation at 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan National guard company deploys to Middle East to locate, diffuse explosives
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A company from the Michigan Army National Guard is heading overseas to support American military efforts in the Middle East. The says the 745th Ordnance Company, based out of Grayling, recently gathered at the Grayling Army Airfield Armory for a sendoff with friends and family. This is the company's fourth deployment since the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. According to the DMVA, the company was last deployed to the Middle East in June 2020 as part of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. This deployment could last as long as a year. 'These soldiers will be supporting Operation Spartan Shield throughout the Middle East to strengthen defense relationships and build partner capacity,' U.S. Army Major Megan Breen . 'Their mission will focus on safely identifying, disarming and disposing of hazardous explosive devices and conducting concurrent training with partner nations. MSP K-9 back to work months after dangerous drug exposure 'The explosive ordnance disposal mission not only ensures the safety of U.S. and partner nation military operations throughout the region but also ensures the safety of the local population.' U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh, the commander of the Michigan Army National Guard, says while the 745th is serving overseas, it is the National Guard leadership's mission to also serve their families. Middle schooler raises funds for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight 'Our military families sacrifice a lot during these long separations and their support is crucial to the success of our soldiers as they deploy overseas,' Wagh said in a statement. 'It is our mission to support these families while they support their loved ones serving our nation.' According to the U.S. Department of Defense, is an overarching mission in the Middle East to help countries there become more self-reliant and secure. It formally launched in 2012. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Middle schooler raises funds for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A middle school student is on a mission to raise $120,000 for the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight — a group that sends veterans to our nation's capitol. That amount would cover an entire flight to Washington D.C. Oakland County 13-year-old Abbie Jones became interested in helping veterans because she comes from a long line of veterans. 'My Uncle Johnny was in the army and he struggled with PTSD. In 2015 he ended his struggle. And I didn't want other families to go through what our family went through,' Jones said. Mid-Michigan Honor Flight was 'best experience' for veterans She has been on an Honor Flight before and said it was a very 'heartwarming experience.' Jones said toward the end of the flight, the veterans started to open up more and she became friends with one. Her friend died a week ago and in his obituary said he wishes loved ones would donate to the upcoming , sponsored by Jones, instead of sending flowers. Jones is raising money by going around the state and the country asking people to donate online. One fundraiser coming up on May 31 in Auburn Hills includes a DJ, taco bar, activities and raffles. For more information on how to help Abbie reach her goal, reach out to Mid-Michigan Honor Flight at or 231.803.4255 and let them know it's for Abbie's flight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
