First 2019 Honor Flight Set for April 2

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF), serving central and mid-southern Illinois, will take our first 2019 Honor Flight on Tuesday, April 2, departing from Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport honoring 83 American Veterans.

On board LLHF Mission #54 to Washington, DC, will be 4 World War II, 28 Korean War and 51 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: 14 Air Force, 53 Army, 7 Marine and 9 Navy.

83 Veterans and their Guardians will arrive at the airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 51 central and southern Illinois cities and communities of Alhambra, Ashland, Assumption Auburn, Bloomington, Blue Mound, Bunker Hill, Champaign, Charleston, Chatham, Cissna Park, Clinton, Coffeen, Danville, Decatur, Dieterich, Divernon, Edwardsville, Effingham, Emden, Franklin, Gibson City, Girard, Havana, Jacksonville, Kansas, Lebanon, Leroy, Lincoln, Litchfield, Loami, Mason City, Mt. Olive, Mt. Zion, Newton, Nokomis, Normal, Oakley, Oblong, Paris, Paxton, Pekin, Petersburg, Rushville, Shelbyville, Springfield, St Joseph, Taylorville, Urbana and White Hall as well as from Keokuk, Iowa. The 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; it's our turn to pay them back. 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. All are encouraged to arrive early and 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 our service area. Since its inception in 2009, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight has been privileged to serve 4,110 veterans on 53 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.