The inaugural Honor Flight took place in May of 2005. Six small airplanes flew out of Springfield, Ohio to the World War II Veterans Memorial, in Washington DC. Today the Honor Flight Network continues to expand their services and programs across the nation. Earl Morse, a physican assistand and retired Air Force Captain conceived the idea in honor of our older veterans. In May of 2004, the World War II Memorial was completed and dedicated in Washington DC.
The idea of the Honor Flights program, was to get these WWII veterans, providing they were able to travel and fly in an airplane, to Washington, Mr Morse knew many of those veterans did not have the funds or time to spend several days making the trip to Washington. These Honor flight trips are made in one single day, they are free to the veterans. There is a trained volunteer with each veteran to provide assistance and care for their assigned veteran. Also veterans from any war may make these flights if they have a terminal illness.
For anyone who has a WWII veteran they would like to see go on this one day venture, or you would like to be a volunteer for a day, you may contact Mr Ray Wiedle in St. Ann, MO at 314-427-2317. Training is provided for all persons who would like to be a guardian for a veteran on these flights. For additional information on this program, their internet address is.. www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org. If you wish to make a donation to this program, that information is also available on their website.
Upcoming flights include September 2nd, 17 veterans and guardians will be leaving from Springfield Abraham Lincoln airport, on October 7th, there will be 35 veterans who will be flying out of St Louis airport. There is a waiting list of excited veterans wanting to make this memorial trip, do you have a veteran in your family that would enjoy this free trip to see the Memorial made just for them?? Flights leave out of Springfield, Effingham and St Louis.
Judy Reeser, Minonk VFW Ladies, Chair of Veterans & Family Support program.