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Every veteran who served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam and all veterans who are terminally ill or severely injured are eligible to apply to a remarkable program that flies them to the nation’s capital, where they will visit the memorials to American wars and be given a VIP experience. To be eligible, you must have served during wartime, though not necessarily in combat.
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The Honor Flight Network, which has 129 independent hubs and is supported by donations and volunteers, was established in 2005 and has flown more than 250,000 veterans to Washington. After a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Honors Flights have resumed.
Here is what veterans and their families need to know when they consider participating in this unique tribute to military service.
What happens on an Honor Flight trip?
Veterans from across the country board planes with their chosen guardian, who is a physically able friend or family member or an Honor Flight volunteer. In some states high school seniors volunteer as guardians, which doubles as their senior trip. Spouses cannot come on the journey unless they are also veterans, but family members and friends are encouraged to travel separately to Washington and meet the veterans there.
Some trips last a day, and veterans can return the same evening if they are close to Washington. For others, the journey can take several days. Along the way, crowds clap and cheer for the veterans. They typically visit the World War II, Korea and Vietnam memorials, along with the Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Marine Corps Memorial. Five more memorials are being planned; they will commemorate the global war on terrorism since 9/11, Desert Storm, World War I, and Native American veterans and African Americans (both free and enslaved) who served in the American Revolution.
What about veterans with health issues?
Professional medical care is provided. EMTs or nurses fly with most groups, and all veteran groups have medics accompanying them throughout their time in the capital. Wheelchairs are provided.
“We can handle veterans who are mobile, immobile, on oxygen, colostomy or ostomy bags, [and other conditions],” says Honor Flight Network CEO Meredith Rosenbeck. “We also travel with terminally ill veterans, so we are equipped to handle a lot of things. We want to get all of our veterans to see their memorials, and we can absolutely accommodate medical needs.”
How much does an Honor Flight cost?
The program pays all costs for eligible veterans. The accompanying guardians make a suggested donation, which ranges from $500 to $1,200. The Honor Flight Network is working on a partnership with AARP to help cover the expenses for guardians who are veterans themselves. The organization relies on financial donations from the public and also urges people to become volunteers who will donate their time, even for something as simple as welcoming veterans back to a local airport.
