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 On board LLHF Mission #55 to Washington, DC, will
be 2 World War II, 10 Korean War and 75 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: nine Air Force, 51 Army, 4 Marine, 21 Navy and two
National Guard.
Eighty-seven (8) 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 Athens,
Auburn, Bloomington, Brighton, Buckley, Carlinville, Champaign,
Charleston, Chatham, Cisco, Danville, Decatur, Divernon, Effingham,
Godfrey, Greenup, Herrick, Hillsboro, Hoffman Estates, Jacksonville,
Lakewood, Lincoln, Mahomet, Mansfield, Mason, Meredosia, Mode,
Montrose, Moro, Murrayville, Nauvoo, Normal, Oakford, Oakland,
Orland Park, Owaneco, Pana, Ramsey, Raymond, Rosamond, Shelbyville,
Shipman, Sigel, Springfield, Streator, Tallula, Taylorville,
Teutopolis, Thomson,Toledo, Tolono, Virden, Virginia and Woodson.
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.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. 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.
[Joan Bortolon] |
