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 Today, the Honor Flight Network has grown to approximately 133
hubs in 42 states, with one of these being Land of Lincoln Honor
Flight (LLHF) of Springfield, Illinois. And, coincidentally, LLHF
also took their first flight in May of 2009, also with 12 Veterans
of the WWII era on that maiden flight. It has now already flown
2,347 of our senior Veterans.
Now, exactly a decade later, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF)
prepares to take off on its flight #32 on Tuesday, May 12th. LLHF
serves Veterans of the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War eras, by
providing them with a day long, no cost trip to Washington, DC, to
visit the national memorials built in their honor. Serving central
and southern Illinois, this flight will have 11 World War II and 74
Korean War era Veterans aboard, plus their volunteer Guardians who
pay their own way. The Veterans on this trip tally 15 US Air Force,
41 Army, 7 Marines and 22 Navy.
 Departing Springfield shortly after six AM, the 85 Veterans come
from 55 Illinois communities, proof that heroes walk among us. The
towns are Altamont, Arcola, Athens, Auburn, Bethany, Bloomington,
Brownstown, Cahokia, Carlock, Champaign, Chatham, Chesterfield,
Chrisman, Colfax, Collinsville, Concord, Danville, Decatur, Des
Plaines, Dieterich, Easton, Effingham, Eureka, Forsyth, Gillespie,
Glasford, Godfrey, Griggsville, Havana, Hillsboro, Jacksonville,
Jerseyville, Lincoln, Mason, Mattoon, Mt Olive, Mt Vernon, New
Berlin, Newman, Normal, Oakford, Pittsfield, Plainview, Robinson,
Shelbyville, Sherman, Springfield, Sullivan, Teutopolis, Tower Hill,
Urbana, Virginia, Watson, West Salem and White Heath.
Once the charter flight lands at Ronald Reagan National Airport in
DC, all will board their Red, White or Blue tour bus. The itinerary
will include stops at the national World War II, Korean and Vietnam
War Memorials, as well as the Air Force and Marine Corps Memorials
plus the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. The
day’s tour will conclude at Arlington National Cemetery, with the
viewing of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and Changing of the
Guard. During the day they will also visit the Lincoln Memorial and
be able to see the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the
Pentagon before departing back to Springfield.
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The plane will return to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport that
evening, arriving around 9:30 PM. Family, friends and the general
public are encouraged to come to the airport to welcome the Veterans
back and show their appreciation for their service to the country.
It is suggested to be to the airport by 8:30 - 9:00 and feel free to
dress in red, white & blue to show your patriotic spirit. Balloons
and posters are also allowed.
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is also encouraging everyone to assist
the hub in locating and signing up our senior Veterans, especially
World War II (enlisted prior to 12/31/1946) or Korean War era
(01/01/1947 thru 12/31/1957), because all the them on the Wait List
have been offered flights. Flying Veterans in the order of their
eras, Vietnam Veterans (01/01/1958 to 05/07/1975) on the list will
begin flying this fall in order of their applications. A sign-up
form can be obtained at the official web site of
LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org or contact John Dust, marketing / media
volunteer, at 309-339-0227 or
HonorFlightGuy@aol.com.
[John Dust, Land of Lincoln Honor
Flight]
LLHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization, receiving no federal, state or county funding. It is
only able to honor the Veterans with their flight to DC due to the
generous donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, merchandise
sales and efforts of many individuals, businesses and organizations
within their service area. For more information on the Honor Flight
mission, please visit the web site.
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