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 On board LLHF Mission
#52 to Washington, DC, will be 3 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. These veterans represent
all branches of military service: 18 Air Force, 52 Army, 4 Marine
and 12 Navy.
Eighty- six (86) Veterans and their Guardians will arrive at the
airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 51
Illinois cities and communities of Alton, Ashland, Assumption,
Auburn, Belleville, Bloomington, Blue Mound, Brighton, Carlinville,
Catlin, Charleston, Chatham, Clinton, Collinsville, Danville,
Decatur, Divernon, Effingham, Emden, Fisher, Gillespie, Glen Carbon,
Godfrey, Havana, Jerseyville, Kincaid, Lincoln, Mason City, Mattoon,
Mechanicsburg, Naperville, New Lenox, Oakford, Pekin, Plano,
Riverton, Robinson, Rochester, South Jacksonville, Shelbyville,
Sibley, Springfield, Staunton, Sullivan, Swansea, Taylorville,
Toluca, Tower Hill, Virginia, White Hall and Wood River.
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 Marine Corps Memorial and the US Air Force
Memorial.
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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.
The return to Springfield 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
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.LandofLincolnHonor
Flight.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, President] |
