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 On board for their first and only Honor Flight
will be three World War II, 40 Korean War and 37 Vietnam War era
Veterans, along with their escort Guardians. With 18 Air Force, 36
Army, 7 Marines and 19 Navy, including one SeaBee, the 80 Veterans,
along with their family, will first have an opportunity to attend a
pre-flight dinner the night before held at Springfield’s VFW Post
#755. After what is usually a short night of sleep, all will gather
at the airport to check in for their flight.
The senior Veterans on this flight come from the 52 Central and
Southern Illinois cities and communities of Albion, Alton,
Arrowsmith, Ashland, Assumption, Athens, Beecher City, Brighton,
Carlinville, Champaign, Charleston, Chatham, Cowden, Decatur, East
Alton, East Moline, Easton, Effingham, Farmersville, Forrest,
Granite City, Hammond, Havana, Herrick, Jacksonville, Lawndale,
Lincoln, Manito, Mansfield, Mattoon, Metamora, Milford, Montrose,
Murrayville, New Douglas, New Holland, Newton, Pekin, Quincy,
Riverton, Robinson, Rushville, San Jose, Springfield, Stewardson,
Stonington, Villa Grove, Virden, Virginia, Waggoner, West Frankfort
and Winchester.
Rising into the sky shortly before sunrise aboard a chartered 737
jetliner, the Veterans and their escorts will be looking forward to
their landing at Reagan National Airport. From there these heroes
will be transported by three luxury tour buses to view and reflect
at the national memorials built in their honor - the World War II,
Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. The itinerary will also include
visiting or viewing the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial,
Lincoln Memorial, National Air & Space Museum, Air Force & Marine
Corps Memorials, the Pentagon, and other DC area sights. The day
long, no cost trip to Veterans will conclude at Arlington National
Cemetery to witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldiers prior to returning to Reagan National.
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Projected for a 9:30 PM arrival, the Veterans will
return to the Springfield airport, where family, friends and the
general public are invited and encouraged to show their appreciation
by coming out to share a hand shake, a hug and a “thank you” to
these heroes. Red, white & blue clothing, bringing balloons or
posters, small flags, etc. are encouraged. Come early, enjoy free
parking and show you care about the sacrifice and service they gave
to our country.
Veteran applications continue to be accepted, with flight 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. One
additional flight, already filled, is planned for October.
Because every Veteran flies with a Guardian escort, a trained family
member or independent volunteer, who pays their own way and ensures
the Veteran has a safe and comfort trip on their special day in
Washington, DC, applications for Guardians are also currently being
accepted.
Veteran or Guardian Applications may be obtained at
www.LandofLincoln
HonorFlight.org, then click Applications, then click &
print the application of choice. LLHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization that receives no government funding or grants. It is
only able to honor the Veteran with a trip to DC due to the generous
donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, merchandise sales and
supporting efforts of the many local businesses, individuals and
organizations within their service area. Please visit the web site
to make a donation, consider holding a fundraiser, book a board
member speaker, check the calendar or to obtain more information on
the Honor Flight mission.
[John Dust, the Honor Flight Guy] |
