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Alumnus Dan Hayes '05 honors WWII veterans with feature-length documentary "Honor Flight"

11/06/2012

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The World War II Memorial is the highlight of the Honor Flight trips. It was built 60 years after World War II. (photo courtesy FreeThink Media)

"Making 'Honor Flight' has changed our lives," said alumnus and filmmaker Dan Hayes '05, who with partner Clay Broga produced and directed the feature-length documentary. It tells the story of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, a nonprofit group that sends World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the memorial built in their honor.

“Honor Flight” chronicles a Wisconsin community coming together to honor living WWII veterans, one last time. It follows a devoted team of volunteers as they “race against the clock” to send every local WWII veteran in their community to the World War II memorial, for free.

"Gratitude, Family and Freedom"
"Making Honor Flight has changed our lives. We’re in our late 20s and, like most everyone in our generation, we take a lot of things for granted. After hearing these veterans’ stories and experiencing the Honor Flight trip, we grappled with issues of gratitude, family and freedom in our own lives. And we’re better for it,” said Hayes and Broga.

Hayes and Broga, founders of FreeThink Media, were named 2012 Moving Picture Institute (MPI) Fellows, for “Promoting Freedom Through Film.” The MPI fellowship enabled them to complete the film and arrange a premiere, “Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation” for tens of thousands at the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium.

“Honor Flight” Largest Film Screening in History: More than 28,000 Viewed Premiere

“Honor Flight” broke the Guiness World Record for the largest film screening in history. More than 28,400 people watched the film’s premiere Aug. 11 in Milwaukee’s Miller Park, in the company of WWII Veterans. The trailer for Honor Flight has garnered more than 4.5 million online views.

From the film: WWII veteran Orville Lemke shakes hands with a young boy at the 'homecoming' ceremony awaiting the vets at the airport, upon their return home from the Honor Flight. (photo courtesy FreeThink Media)

“Knowing what the Greatest Generation did for us, at war and at home, we must strive to lead lives worthy of their sacrifices. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to take advantage of the opportunities we have and to live like every day is a bonus,” said Hayes and Broga.

Freethink Media plans to arrange screenings of “Honor Flight” at theaters across the country for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Dec. 7.

Students at Miami’s Oxford and regional campuses will honor local veterans in ceremonies Nov. 9 and 12.