Special ceremony honors veterans at Michigan Challenge Balloonfest

On Memorial Day we honor the men and women who died while serving. This tradition of honoring those who serve continues at the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest with a special ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29
on the balloonfest main stage. The Veterans Ceremony is held In partnership with the Yankee Air Museum.  

The ceremony will include an honor guard presentation of colors. Also planned are a B-25 flyover and a skydiving jump with the American flag.  Master of Ceremonies for the event is Ron Savage, Fox 2 news anchor.

The balloonfest is located on the grounds of Howell
Public Schools, 1200 W. Grand Ave in Howell.

“We are pleased to honor our veterans at the balloonfest,” said Helen Budd, Michigan Challenge committee member.
“This is our third annual Veterans Ceremony. A B-25 flyover is planned during the ceremony, and epresentatives from the Yankee Air Museum will be on site at the event.”

The Yankee Air Museum display at the balloonfest includes a collection of aviation-related merchandise. The Yankee
Air Museum’s 1943 WWII B-25 “Yankee Warrior” will be at the Spencer J. Hardy Airport on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30, and is available for viewing and picture taking.

Rides on the B-25 bomber are available for purchase and will take off at the airport. B-25 rides are $400 per seat and can be reserved by calling John at 269-250-0783 or on-site at the airport. Flyovers are also planned during balloonfest weekend. 

The North American B-25 "Mitchell" bombers, named after Gen. Billy Mitchell, were the most effective medium bombers of World War II, probably best remembered for the carrier launched Doolittle Raid against Japan on April 18, 1942. The Yankee Warrior is the only flying B-25D-35, one of the very few aircraft with documented combat history.

Major sponsor of the Michigan Challenge is PNC bank.
For more information, visit michiganchallenge.com or call 517.546.3920.