By Marv Kohlbeck

Columnist

Looking for a change of entertainment that includes two venues? Your only cost would be travel time and a bite to eat. The events are free.

With the Packer football season opening this Sunday, the popular sports show “Pack Attack” will resume filming. The recordings of this televised broadcast are held at Dale’s Weston Lanes in Weston, just east of Wausau, and are free to all in attendance. The first taping will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12.

My wife and I have enjoyed attending these shows to occasionally meet Packer players that are being interviewed. Besides getting to know these sports figures, we have made many new friends. Hunger pains can be cured right there before, during, or after the show.

Following the TV sports session, you then have plenty time to drive to the Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee to become part of the large welcome home gathering of family and friends of military veterans who have spent the day in Washington, D.C., as members of the “Never Forgotten Honor Flight.”

The return flight carrying approximately 100 veterans, their guardians, medical personnel, and organizational leaders usually touches down about 10 p.m. to be greeted by the hundreds of citizens who have gathered.

The welcome home festivities include high school band members playing military tunes and special seating and greeting arrangements to accommodate friends and family members who are first in line. Numerous organizations and other groups stand in line to welcome the veterans and thank them for their military service.

Sponsored by many businesses, organizations, school groups, and individuals, four flights have been made each of the past six years to recognize World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans. Flights are made in April, May, September, and October. This year’s remaining flights will be Sept. 12 and Oct. 10.

This suggested evening of entertainment is filled with learning experiences, and as I mentioned before, it is all free except for travel and food.

Veterans who have a desire to take advantage of this wonderful travel and sightseeing opportunity should visit neverforgottenhonorflight.org for application forms, or you can call me at 715-884-6442 for further information about this experience of a lifetime.

I made the flight in 2013, have sent application forms to 42 inquiring veterans, and have attended 16 return flight gatherings at the airport to honor others who have served. The entire event is extremely well organized and widely approved by all who have taken part in it as a veteran or guardian.