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 This is not a trick as Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) of
Springfield will fly these 5 World War II, 31 Korean War and 44
Vietnam War era Vets at no cost to them on their day long trip, each
accompanied by a volunteer Guardian escort. This will be LLHF’s
sixth and final trip of the year, although flights for the 2107
flight season are being planned. These flights are made possible for
the Veterans due to the generous donations, sponsorships, fund
raising and efforts of numerous individuals, businesses,
organizations and volunteers. (No federal, state or other government
funding or grants are received) For LLHF this will be their 42nd
trip – having flown a total of 3,218 Veterans upon this flight’s
completion - but it is the one and only special Honor Flight for the
Veterans onboard this day.
 The 12 US Air Force, 45 Army, 10 Marines and 12 Navy heroes, plus 1
Navy heroine, come from the 51 Illinois cities and communities of
Altamont, Alton, Alvin, Ashley, Belleville, Chatham, Clinton,
Danville, Decatur, Delavan, Dow, Effingham, Elkhart, Emden,
Fairbury, Fairview, Girard, Glenarm, Hillsboro, Hoopeston, Hudson,
Jacksonville, Johnston City, Kincaid, Lincoln, Macomb, Mattoon,
Middletown, Mt Zion, Murrayville, Nashville, Normal, Pawnee,
Pinckneyville, Pittsfield, Radom, Riverton, Rochester, Shelbyville,
Shipman, Springfield, Staunton, Taylorville, Tovey, Valier, Waverly,
West Frankfort, West Salem, Westville, Winchester and Wood River, as
well as a couple Veterans now residing in Covington, Indiana, and
New Paris, Ohio.
Departing Springfield before sunrise, they will be met at Ronald
Reagan National Airport by three luxury tour buses designated Red,
White & Blue for the day. Their itinerary includes the important
stops at the World War II, Korean and Vietnam National Memorials, as
well as visiting the National Air & Space Museum (Chantilly
Virginia), Air Force and Marine Corps Memorials, and the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, where they will
witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. During the day they will
also have an opportunity to see the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial,
the Washington Monument, the Pentagon, and much more in the
Washington DC area.
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With this being the last flight of 2016, the general public, along with friends
and family, are encouraged to “pack” the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport to
“Welcome Home” the flight scheduled to return around 9:30 PM (suggested to be
there early). Patriotic spirit is encouraged with red-white-blue clothing,
balloons and posters, small US flags, handshakes, hugs, kisses, etc. Show your
appreciation and support to these Veterans who served and sacrificed so much for
our country!
Although Land of Lincoln Honor Flight trips will be completed for the year,
Veteran applications continue to be accepted, with priority given in the
following order: World War II (person enlisted by 12/31/1946), then Korean War
Era (01/01/1947 to 12/31/1957), followed by the Vietnam War Era (01/01/1958 to
05/07/1975). Any certified terminally ill Veteran should contact LLHF directly.
[John Dust]
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