One-Time Missions. Lasting Impact.

Our one-time special missions honor distinct groups of veterans—bringing them together to reflect, connect, and share stories that strengthen our community.

Special Missions

At Missions of Honor, we’ve organized a number of special missions to recognize and celebrate specific groups of veterans—each one designed to honor service, foster connection, and share powerful stories with our community. These one-of-a-kind journeys give veterans the opportunity to reflect, heal, and build lasting friendships with fellow service members.

While each special mission is unique, all share a common purpose: to pay tribute to those who served and to educate and inspire the generations who follow. Though these experiences typically happen only once, their impact endures—in the lives of the veterans we serve, their families, and the communities that welcome them home.

As with all of our missions, there’s no cost for veterans to participate. Because these missions are one-time events, we don’t maintain a waitlist. When a special mission is offered, you’ll find details and application information on our website and social media channels.

85th Anniversary Mission to Pearl Harbor

In December 2026, we’re partnering with American Airlines to honor WWII veterans and Rosies the Riveter with a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii—marking the 85th anniversary of the December 7, 1941 attack. Selected veterans and their guardians will travel at no cost to pay tribute at one of America’s most sacred sites, surrounded by fellow service members and the communities that support them. Applications are now open, with invitations to be extended by November 1, 2026.

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Return to Normandy

In 2024, we partnered with American Airlines’ Military and Veterans Initiatives team for Return to Normandy—a special mission honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day. This historic journey brought World War II veterans, Rosie the Riveters, and a Holocaust survivor to Normandy, France. Joined by family, cadets from several U.S. service academies, and an exceptional medical team from Northeast Wisconsin, they were honored by U.S. and French presidents and warmly welcomed by the people of France.

Return to Nam

In 2019, we organized a powerful mission called Return to Nam, bringing 52 veterans back to Vietnam for a journey of reflection and healing. Veterans revisited former battlegrounds, paid tribute to fallen comrades, and found peace in seeing how the country has transformed since the war. The mission received national media attention for its emotional impact and significance and was later chronicled in the award-winning book Return to Nam, which has since been archived in the Library of Congress.

Operation at Ease

In 2015 and 2016, we organized Operation at Ease, honoring Desert Era veterans with a one-day journey to visit memorials dedicated to their service. Veterans traveled to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois and The Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville, Wisconsin—two sites honoring the sacrifices of those who served in the Global War on Terror. These visits offered space for reflection, remembrance, and connection among fellow service members.

D-Day +70 – Honoring Wisconsin’s Heroes

On June 6, 2014, in honor of the 70th anniversary of D-Day, we joined organizations from across Wisconsin for a special one-day event at the State Capitol. Local World War II veterans, all of whom participated in the D-Day invasion as young men, were given the opportunity to share their powerful wartime experiences with an attentive and appreciative audience. It was a day filled with heartfelt tributes, deep gratitude, and reflection—honoring their extraordinary courage and sacrifice.

A historic WWII Operation Legacy book cover featuring veterans and war airplanes, highlighting honoring military sacrifices and wartime memories for patriotic education.

Operation Legacy–Volumes 1 and 2

Operation Legacy–Volumes 1 and 2 are powerful collections of veteran stories written by community members and students from Lawrence University. These books preserve the personal experiences of local war veterans, capturing their courage, sacrifice, and resilience through thoughtful storytelling. Each volume honors the legacy of the men and women who served, while offering readers a window into the realities of military service. Both Volume 1 and Volume 2 are available on Amazon.

Old Glory Honor Flight badge featuring a stylized aircraft and hibiscus flowers, symbolizing Wisconsin's military history and veteran recognition programs. Perfect for promoting honorary missions and veterans' events.

Return to Pearl

In 2012, we organized a journey called Return to Pearl, bringing 19 Pearl Harbor survivors from Wisconsin to Hawaii to mark the 70th anniversary of the attack. Over four days, veterans visited the USS Arizona Memorial, Schofield Barracks, and the USS Missouri—reflecting on their service, honoring fallen comrades, and finding peace. Their stories were captured in two documentaries—one produced by PBS and another produced by Snap 180 Media—preserving these memories for future generations.