Manitowoc Air Force veteran Carol Wheelock makes 'awe-inspiring' Honor Flight to nation's capital

MANITOWOC – This long weekend, most of us will celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence with parades, cookouts and fireworks.

One local group goes the extra mile to recognize military veterans who served to maintain the ideals inked into place on July 4, 1776.

The Old Glory Honor Flight’s mission is to take Wisconsin veterans — free of charge — to Washington, D.C., to see war memorials in a whirlwind day-long trip.

So far, the non-profit has flown more than 4,000 veterans to the nation's capital. That includes Carol Wheelock of Manitowoc, who took an Honor Flight out of the Appleton Airport June 7.

Wheelock was still glowing as she relived the details a few weeks later in an interview with the Herald Times Reporter.

“The experience was very emotional for me,” she said. “It’s a day I will never forget.”

Wheelock served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1959. As a girl learning secretarial skills at a technical high school in Flint, Michigan, Wheelock was fascinated with space flight. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration had just launched in 1958 and she wanted to be part of it.

She enlisted in the Air Force at 18 years old and after basic training was shipped to Ormand Beach, Florida, to a guarded location connected to NASA.

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Wheelock used her secretarial skills to transcribe notes made from findings space researchers and astronauts were working on. She even transported them to Washington, D.C., in a briefcase chained to her wrist, as she flew with other military and guards.

Wheelock married Donahue Wheelock, who was also in the Air Force, in 1959. She left the Air Force later that year and the couple traveled to Wisconsin.

Donahue grew up in Door County, and when the couple passed through Manitowoc, Wheelock decided that “this is the place I want to live.”

She worked as a nurse and the couple raised a family.

Wheelock remained active in military circles and causes. Old Glory Honor Flights initially opened to veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. But they recently expanded criteria to include all veterans who served before May 7, 1975.

Wheelock attended a banquet at AMVETS Post 99 in Manitowoc, where members of the Manitowoc County Veterans organization asked her if she was interested in participating.

“I immediately said yes,” Wheelock said. “I wanted to see the monuments to all the dedicated people who served and lost their lives serving our country.”

A total of 86 veterans, including four women, were on Mission 62. She traveled with Ashley Smits, who started the Manitowoc County Veterans Facebook page.

They received salutes upon landing, and four buses took the group around Washington, D.C. Stops included the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They even made a surprise visit to the Air Force Memorial.

“The World War II Memorial was awesome, but a bit sad for me,” Wheelock said. “I had several uncles in the Army and Navy, so it had personal meaning for me.”

She also appreciated a stop at the Military Women’s Memorial.

“Women in the military don’t often get the recognition that men do,” Wheelock said. “It was awe-inspiring to be there.”

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After the group re-boarded the plane, all-important “Mail Call” was held. Veterans received letters and notes the Honor Flight organized for ahead of the day.

“I had a bagful,” Wheelock said. “So many nice notes. I was shocked.”

They returned to a “Welcome home” parade and band music at the Appleton airport.

Wheelock slowly paged through a photo book Smits made for her chronicling their day.

“I have a lot of mixed feelings about the wars and what they cost us,” she said. “It’s an absolute shame we have lost so many people. But I also would encourage other veterans to go on the flight if they get the chance. It will give you a new perspective on our veterans and what they have done for our country to keep us safe and free.”

Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2586. Follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Air Force veteran takes Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.