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 On board
LLHF Flight #49 to Washington, DC, will be 2 World War II, 17 Korean
War and 66 Vietnam War Era Veterans - all excited to visit and
reflect with their comrades at their national memorials. But before
this happens, many of these 23 Air Force, 39 Army, 13 Marine and 10
Navy Vets, along with their Guardians, family and friends, will have
enjoyed a pre-flight dinner in their honor the night before at VFW
Post #10302 in Springfield.
Eighty-five (85) Veterans and their Guardians will arrive at the
airport Tuesday morning at 4:45 AM, having traveled from the 57
Illinois cities and communities of Assumption, Athens, Bement,
Cantrall, Carlinville, Carrollton, Champaign, Chapin, Chatham,
Clinton, Danville, Decatur, East Alton, Effingham, Farina, Gibson
City, Gillespie, Godfrey, Greenview, Havana, Hillsboro, Hume, Leroy,
Lincoln, Loda, Mason, Mattoon, Melvin, Mitchell, Moline, Moweaqua,
Mt. Pulaski, Mt. Zion, Mt. Olive, Normal, Oakwood, Oreana, Pana,
Pawnee, Petersburg, Potomac, Riverton, Robinson, Rochester,
Shelbyville, Sherman, Springfield, St. Elmo, Strasburg, Swansea,
Taylorville, Tower Hill, Vandalia, Virden, Virginia, Williamsville
and Witt.
Our veterans will board three (3) luxury motor coaches upon arrival
at Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC. Their most important stops
will be at the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War memorials, as
well as Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard
ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Other stops include the
Lincoln Memorial, the National Air & Space Museum (Chantilly,
Virginia), the US Air Force Memorial, the US Navy Plaza and the US
Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima).
This day
of honor is provided at absolutely no cost to our Veterans. They
have paid enough; it is our turn to pay them back.
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The return to Springfield’s airport is planned at 9:30 PM and the
general public, along with friends and family, are encouraged to “pack the port”
to Welcome Home these heroes. Come early. All are encouraged to wear red-
white-blue patriotic colors, bring balloons, posters, etc. to show appreciation
and support to these Veterans who served and sacrificed so much for our country.
Words of thanks, handshakes, hugs and kisses are also allowed!
Veteran applications continue to be accepted with flight priority
given in the following order: World War II (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. Veteran or Guardian Applications may be obtained at
www.LandofLincoln
HonorFlight.org by clicking on Applications tab.
LLHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no government funding.
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 our
service area. Please visit the web site to make a donation, consider holding a
fundraiser, book a board member speaker or obtain more information on the Honor
Flight mission.
[Joan Bortolon]
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