Missions of Honor – A healing journey for veterans

Veterans give so much to protect our country’s freedoms, but their sacrifice does not come without a cost. Missions of Honor has made it their mission to help vets heal, reflect, and bond with like-minded veterans to allow them to simply take a moment to breathe.
Victor Magnus decided to take the four-day trip to New York, but going in, he knew it would open some wounds. Formally named Freedom to Liberty Tour: A Mission of Healing, this experience is curated for Global War on Terror Veterans. The trip takes veterans to significant 9/11 landmarks and features several prominent guest speakers, with the entire purpose being to focus on mental health.
Magnus left from Appleton Airport on Thursday, Oct. 2, with a group of 66 Wisconsin veterans. Upon arrival in Newark, the port authority was there to greet the veterans. This was the first time the group would receive a lighted escort into the city.
Thursday started off with a presentation from Colonel Allison Black, an AC-130H gunship officer in the U.S. Air Force during the War in Afghanistan. She received the nickname “Angel of Death” for the decisive battlefield effects of the AC-130 crew that aided in eliminating enemy targets. Black was one of the first women pilots to open fire in the conflict.
“The part of her speech that really stuck with us is the idea of we GET to,” shared Magnus, “We GET to drop off our kids at school, we GET to go to work, we GET to.”

Magnus also had the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with David Bellavia, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Iraq War. He was awarded the medal for his actions in the Second Battle of Fallujah, where he led his squad in “Operation Phantom Fury.” Magnus was excited to share that he even got the chance to hold the medal.
The weekend featured a long list of emotional guest speakers who shared their personal experiences from 9/11, including Will Jimeno, Tim Brown, John Ryan, Paddy McGee, Scott Strauss, and Matt Nelson. Each shared messages of faith, hope, and resilience.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) made its mark on the weekend by welcoming in the veterans for a tour of their fire stations throughout the city. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was made even more special by getting the chance to ride the ceremonial bus throughout the iconic streets of New York.
Magnus had the chance to speak with some of the local heroes, who were able to put his service in a new perspective. While first responders kept us safe on the home front, veterans carried on the fight overseas. “I’ll take it from here,” quoted Magnus, “I had never thought about it that way until speaking with those who experienced responding to 9/11 firsthand.”
Veterans also had the chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Freedom Tower, and the Statue of Liberty. This gave veterans the firsthand experience to see where it all started and what they fought for.
While at the 9/11 Museum, there were a lot of emotions to process throughout the tour. This is where the fight started for many of these veterans. One specific moment stood out to Magnus once the group arrived at the one item you can touch in the museum. The World Trade Center steel beam.
“This was one of the most impactful experiences,” recalled Magnus, “As soon as I put my hand on it, I could feel an immediate energy transfer.”
Veterans returned home on Sunday, Oct 5, and were greeted by over 1,000 friends and family.
“This trip changed my life,” stated Magnus, “and I know it did the same for everyone else on that trip.” Upon arriving home, the group continued to stay in contact. Whether it be for support or to catch up, this bond will last a lifetime. The group even planned to get together and catch up over some pizza in November.
Missions of Honor has also opened up the door for our veterans to seek mental health counseling services. “It was truly a mission of healing, and we’re just getting started.”
Victor Magnus entered service in May 2000. He was deployed in the Middle East from 2005-2006 and in Ukraine from 2019-2020. Magnus retired as a First Sergeant from C Battery, 1st of 120th FA Battalion, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in July 2021.
The Freedom to Liberty Tour is open to all Global War on Terror Veterans who reside in a specific county in Wisconsin. The experience is free for all veterans in attendance. Each trip features a unique lineup of speakers and experiences.
Missions of Honor Inc. is a standalone organization that was formed in the image of Old Glory Honor Flight to accomplish missions that fall outside of the National Honor Flight guidelines.
To find out more about Missions of Honor or to apply for the next Freedom to Liberty Tour, follow “Missions of Honor” on Facebook.
Magnus hopes that others will take the first step into finding help. We all deserve a shoulder to lean on and a chance to heal.
Your service matters.