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 On board LLHF Mission #58 to Washington DC, will
be 1 World War II, 11 Korean War and 80 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: 12 Air Force, 51 Army, 8 Marine and 21 Navy
veterans.
Ninety-two (92) Veterans and their Guardians will arrive at the
airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 62
central and southern Illinois cities and communities of Altamont,
Ashland, Astoria, Athens, Atlanta, Arthur, Beardstown, Bloomington,
Bunker Hill, Carlinville, Chatham, Clinton, Danville, Decatur,
Dorsey, East Alton, Effingham, Fairbury, Fisher, Gibson City,
Girard, Glenarm, Godfrey, Havana, Hopedale, Ipava, Jonesboro, Lake
in the Hills, Largo, Lebanon, Lincoln, Lovington, Manhattan, Maroa,
Maryville, Meredosia, Moweaqua, Mt. Zion, Normal, Oakland, Oakley,
O’Fallon, Olney, Oreana, Owaneco, Palestine, Paris, Paxton, Raymond,
Shelbyville, Sigel, Springfield, Tovey, Tower Hill, Troy, Virden,
Virginia, Warrensburg, Waterloo, Watson, Williamsville, Witt.
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, the US Navy Plaza 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 chairs,
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.
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight 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. Land of Lincoln Honor Flight has no paid
staff, no office and no utilities costs. Our on-going administrative
cost is approximately 1% - virtually every dollar raised supports
flight costs for our Veterans.
Since our inception in 2009, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight has been
privileged to serve 4,454 Illinois veterans on 57 flights.
[Joan Bortolon]
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