Final 2018 Honor Flight This Month

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF), serving central and mid-southern Illinois, will take the final 2018 Honor Flight on Tuesday, October 30, departing from Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

On board LLHF Mission #53 to Washington, DC, will be 2 World War II, 3 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, 41 Army, 8 Marine and 24 Navy. Eighty- five (85) Veterans and their Guardians will arrive at the airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 54 central and southern Illinois cities and communities of Atlanta, Beardstown, Bloomington, Brighton, Buffalo, Cantrall, Carrollton, Chapin, Clinton, Decatur, Delavan, Easton, Edwardsville, Effingham, Eldred, Elwin, Emden, Fairview Heights, Gibson City, Gillespie, Girard, Hartsburg, Havana, Hillsboro, Hoopeston, Hutsonville, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Kincaid, Lincoln, Litchfield, Mattoon, Mount Pulaski, Neoga, Neponset, Nokomis, Normal, Pawnee, Petersburg, Plainview, Pocohontas, Pontiac, Rantoul, Riverton, Rochester Rock Bridge, Shelbyville, Springfield, Taylorville, Virden, Virginia, Waverly and Wheeler. 

The veterans will board three 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.

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, hugs and kisses are also allowed!

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 this service area. Since its inception in 2009, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight has been privileged to serve 4,025 veterans on 52 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.