Nationwide Honor Flights Suspended Through End of 2020

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) has received notice from its National governing organization that all honor flights nationwide have been suspended through the end of 2020 due to continued concerns related to COVID-19. Honor Flight officials say, "This was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure the safety and continued health of our country's most important national resource - - our Veteran heroes."

The national Honor Flight network estimates that all hubs (of which LLHF is one) were on track to serve more than 20,000 veterans on 2020 flights and expected to reach the milestone of providing these flights to more than a quarter million veterans since the network was founded. Specifically, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight had six 2020 flights scheduled and planned to serve more than 500 Central Illinois World War II, Korean Era and Vietnam Era veterans. 

A Honor Flight statement reads, "We are disappointed by these constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and that the 600+ local veterans on our waiting list will now have their flight delayed by a year. However, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is dedicated to serving all Veterans currently on our wait list (as well as those who have yet to apply) as soon as conditions are safe. The LLHF Board will begin planning for 2021 flights and will share our anticipated 2021 flight dates as soon as they are confirmed."

The statement continues, "COVID–related social distancing and public gathering restrictions have also caused the cancellation of numerous fundraisers planned to benefit our flights. We continue to explore creative approaches to on-line fundraising so that we will have sufficient funds to serve our veterans in the near future. Our 2020 annual raffle prize is a custom-made Land of Lincoln Honor Flight regulation Cornhole/Bags boards and bags. Raffle ticket purchase information and photos of this prize can be viewed on Land of Lincoln Honor Flight’s Facebook page.

"We are still accepting applications from World War II, Korean Era and Vietnam Era veterans who would like to participate on an upcoming flight. Applications can be obtained from our website (www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org) or by contacting us at JMB4604@aol.com or 217 585 1219 or 217 652 4719.

"Until we can resume our flights, we will continue to find ways to show our gratitude to our Veterans and encourage our community to do the same."