Lift off: Area veteran reflects on Honor Flight trip

For Vietnam War veteran Al Timm, 82, a recent visit to the nation’s war memorials was more than a sightseeing trip — it was a symbol of gratitude and patriotism shaped by a life spanning continents and decades.
Timm, a former Mayville resident and native of Poland, was among the veterans who participated in the Honor Flight program on Oct. 4, which brings veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the monuments honoring their service and sacrifice. He was accompanied by his guide for the day, Ryan, of Milwaukee Tools, and said the experience left a lasting impression.
“I saw it through the eyes of the soldier I was,” Timm explained. “It was awesome, the entire program is top-shelf.”
Timm’s journey to America began in 1956, when he immigrated from Poland as a young man with his family. He graduated as a member of the last graduating class of the old Mayville High School in 1962.
He later attended what is now Milwaukee Area Technical College, where he majored in commercial art and nurtured a passion for drawing.

In 1964, Timm enlisted in the U.S. Army, hoping to use his artistic skills to serve his adopted country. While stationed overseas, he contributed by developing maps of Vietnam and other wartime materials — work that combined his love for art with his commitment to his fellow soldiers. He spent most of his seven years of service in Vietnam and Japan.
As an immigrant, Timm said he sees America’s wars and memorials through a unique lens.
“Going there and seeing all the names on the wall, and you could see the reflection of yourself in the wall, it’s really fantastic,” Timm said.
Timm said the Honor Flight was a humbling experience, made meaningful by the camaraderie of fellow veterans and the support of volunteers who help run and organize the flights.