State Assembly honors Van Kampens
By John Faucher
The Wisconsin State Assembly honored Tony and Lorraine Van Kampen of New London with the Hometown Heroes Award on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the State Capital.
State Rep. Kevin Petersen, R-Waupaca, nominated the Van Kampens for the award.
Tony and Lorraine Van Kampen have been actively involved as volunteers with the Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight for the past 10 years. Shortly after their second flight as guardians they were asked to join the board of directors.
Lorraine has served as vice president and currently serves as president.
In October 2019, the Van Kampens volunteered for their 50th Honor Flight as escorts.
Additionally, they have escorted veterans on special trips to Pearl Harbor, a Return to Vietnam trip, and a Generations Honor Flight to D.C. with World War II, Korean and Vietnam Veterans escorted by younger Dessert Operation veterans who served in the Middle East.
“I want to thank Tony and Lorraine Van Kampen for their ongoing commitment to our veteran community. They’ve enriched the lives of those who have served and sacrificed for our country,” said Petersen. “It is an honor presenting them with the Wisconsin State Assembly Hometown Hero Award in recognition of their 50th and counting Honor Flight mission.”
Sharing stories
The Van Kampens are also involved with fundraising efforts and attend speaking engagements with the many organizations that help fund Honor Flight missions.
They share their mission experiences and the veterans’ stories with the donor organizations.
One group is the Fehlberg Memorial Veterans Ride in New London. They raised more than $278,000 for the Honor Flight and other veteran organizations.
“Northeast Wisconsin, all of the communities surrounding us, has opened their hearts and their wallets to make sure that this program continues and that the veterans get their tour of honor,” said Lorraine Van Kampen.
The average Honor Flight costs $85,000. The Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight raised an additional $250,000 in just four months for the first ever Return to Nam flight in the spring of 2019.
“It’s an honor to recognize two people who have given both time and resources back to our veterans,” said Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna.
Steineke selected the Van Kampens for the award. “I applaud their selfless spirit and willingness to prioritize their community and local veterans,” he said.
The Van Kampens are also involved with the Patriot Guard Riders of Wisconsin, where Tony is a ride captain and serves as the state treasurer.
Each summer Tony and Lorraine assist with Camp Serenity at Camp American Legion for Gold Star Families and they are volunteers for the Wreaths Across America program and Operation Christmas Angel for veteran families each December.
“Tony and Lorraine Van Kampen believe that our veterans’ past, present and future deserve our respect and gratitude for their service and sacrifice for our country,” said Petersen.
Tony Van Kampen is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1968-70.
Tony and Lorraine said they are currently in the planning stages to take 50 Korean Wartime veterans back to Korea in addition to scheduling 4-5 Honor Flights to Washington DC in 2020.
“As we continue to fly our nation’s heroes to Washington DC to visit the Memorial built in their honor, we also want to make sure that we bring them home with some peace in their hearts and in their minds,” said Lorraine Van Kampen.
“We know we make a difference in the lives of these veterans as their families have let us know of the changes that have taken place. We are only two of the many volunteers it takes to make Old Glory Flight Successful,” she added.