Land of Lincoln Honor Flight scheduled for Tuesday

[June 13, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- On June 18, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight will honor 18 more World War II veterans and 70 more Korean veterans with a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, National Air and Space Museum, and other memorials. Seventy-four guardians who are responsible for the veterans' comfort and safety will also be on this flight. It is the 22nd Land of Lincoln Honor Flight and the fourth this year.

The public is invited to a "welcome home" ceremony for these WWII and Korean era veterans when the plane arrives back at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Wear red, white and blue to show your appreciation.

Veterans on this flight come from the Illinois towns of Alton, Ashland, Astoria, Athens, Bartonville, Bloomington, Bunker Hill, Chandlerville, Clinton, Dawson, DeKalb, Delavan, East Peoria, Emden, Fairbury, Farmersville, Flanagan, Forsyth, Galesburg, Girard, Gridley, Hartford, Hillsboro, Hopedale, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Lincoln, Manchester, Manito, Meredosia, Metamora, Middletown, Morton, Mount Olive, Mount Pulaski, Owaneco, Ozark, Pekin, Peoria, Petersburg, Quincy, Roanoke, Roodhouse, Shipman, Smithfield, Springfield, Taylorville, Tremont, Trivoli, Washington, Waverly, White Hall, Williamsville, Wood River and Bethany, Mo.

Donations and efforts of many individuals, organizations and businesses have allowed Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to honor these veterans.

Additional flights this year will be on Sept. 10 and Oct. 22.

Applications are still being accepted for the following, but WWII veterans will be served first:

• Veterans who enlisted by Dec. 31, 1946 (WWII -- 52 currently on the list)

• Veterans who served Jan. 1, 1947-Dec. 31, 1957 (Korean era -- 259 currently on the list)

• Veterans who served Jan. 1, 1958-May 7, 1975 (169 currently on the list)

Also at the Springfield airport, the WWII B-17 bomber "Sentimental Journey" will be on display daily from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. and available for rides and tours from June 17 at noon through June 21 at 10 a.m. Ground viewing and photo opportunities are free. Cockpit tours cost $5 and flights start at $425 per person. For reservations, call 602-448-9415 or email [e-mail].

The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight board welcomes the chance to speak to organizations, businesses, churches, conventions or other groups about the Honor Flight mission, future flights, guardian duties, fundraising and donations.

For more information about how individuals and groups can help the mission, how to obtain applications, how to become a member and to learn more about Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, visit www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org or contact Ray Wiedle, chairman: cellphone 217-622-1473, home phone [phone] or email [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Land of Lincoln Honor Flight]