First Honor Flight of 2015 Set for April

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) of Springfield, a hub of the national Honor Flight Network, will take off on its first flight of the year on Tuesday, April 7.

LLHF serves Veterans of the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War eras, by providing them with an all-paid day long trip to Washington, DC, to visit and reflect at the national memorials built in their honor.  Serving central and southern Illinois, this charter flight will have 13 World War II, 69 Korean and 2 Vietnam era Veterans aboard, along with their volunteer, self-paying Guardians and 3 bus captains for a total of 162.  The Veterans served in the US Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy military branches, including the Army Air Corps of WWII.

Departing Springfield before sunrise, the 84 Veterans come from the Illinois towns of Altamont, Arcola, Argenta, Ashland, Auburn, Bath, Bethalto, Bloomington, Breese, Carbondale, Carlinville, Carterville, Charleston, Chatham, Clinton, Decatur, Effingham, Findlay, Gardner, Germantown, Gillespie, Girard, Green Valley, Griggsville, Highland, Homer, Hoopeston, Ingraham, Kane, Kincaid, Lincoln, Litchfield, Loami, Mahomet, Manchester, Manito, Maroa, Mattoon, Moweaqua, Murphysboro, Murrayville, New Berlin, Normal, Oakley, Olney, Oreana, Pana, Pekin, Ramsey, Riverton, Rochester, San Jose, Savoy, Shelbyville, Sheldon, Sherman, Spaulding, Springfield, St. Elmo, Sullivan, Taylorville, Tower Hill and Watseka.

Once they land at Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC, they will board three tour buses named Red, White and Blue for the day.  Their itinerary will include stops at the national World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Air Force and Marine Corps Memorials, as well as the National Air & Space Museum (Chantilly, Virginia) and a Pentagon drive-by.  The day’s tour will conclude at Arlington National Cemetery, with the viewing of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and Changing of the Guard.  During the day they will also visit the Lincoln Memorial and view the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial, plus various other viewing opportunities before departing back to Springfield.

The Veterans will return to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport that evening, arriving around 9:30 PM, and the general public is invited and encouraged to show their appreciation for their service to our country by welcoming them home.  It is suggested to be to the airport no later than 9:00 and feel free to dress in red, white & blue to show your patriotic spirit.  Balloons and posters are also allowed.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is also encouraging family and friends to assist the hub in locating and signing up our Veterans, especially World War II (enlisted prior to 12/31/1946) and Korean War era (01/01/1947 thru 12/31/1957), because all WWII and Korean vets on their Wait List have been offered flights during the first half of the year.  Taking Veterans in the order of their eras, Vietnam Veterans (01/01/1958 to 05/07/1975) on the list will begin flying this fall.  Applications can be obtained at the official web site of LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org or contact John Dust, marketing/media volunteer, at  HonorFlightGuy@aol.com or cell 309-339-0227.

LLHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, receiving no federal, state or county funding.  It is only able  to honor the Veterans with their flight to DC due to the generous donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, merchandise sales and efforts of many individuals, businesses and organizations.  For more information on the Honor Flight mission, please visit the web site.