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 On board LLHF Mission #56 to Washington, DC,
will be 1 World War II, 21 Korean War and 63 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: 9 Air Force, 44 Army, 12 Marine and 20 Navy.
Eighty-five (85) Veterans and their Guardians will arrive at the
airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 55
central and southern Illinois cities and communities of Astoria,
Athens, Beecher City, Bethalto, Bloomington, Brighton, Brighton,
Champaign, Charleston, Chester, Chesterfield, Clinton, Columbia,
Danvers, Dawson, Decatur, Effingham, Forrest, Gilman, Glen Carbon,
Hennepin, Hillsboro, Jacksonville, Kenney, Lincoln, Littleton,
Manito, Marshall, Morrisonville, Moweaqua, Mt. Pulaski, Neoga,
Normal, Pana, Pawnee, Petersburg, Riverton, Roanoke, Robinson,
Rochester, Savoy, Shelbyville, Sherman, Sibley, Springfield, St.
Joseph, Sullivan, Taylorville, Teutopolis, Thayer, Thomasboro,
Vandalia, Virden, Washburn, White Hall and Zephyrhills, FL.
Our veterans will board 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.
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 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 and hugs are also encouraged.
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.LandofLincolnHonorFlight.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.
Since our inception in 2009, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight has been
privileged to serve 4,191 veterans on 54 flights.
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. Also consider following LLHF on
Facebook page to stay current on upcoming events and future flights.
[Joan Bortolon] |
