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In mid-May of 2005, six small 4-seater airplanes took off from Springfield Ohio, each with two WWII Veterans in the back seat and a pilot and co-pilot up front. Their destination was the Washington DC area so that these 12 senior soldiers could tour, view and reflect at their newly built national World War 2 Memorial. And, thus the Honor Flight program was born!

Today, the Honor Flight Network has grown to approximately 133 hubs in 42 states, with one of these being Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) of Springfield, Illinois. And, coincidentally, LLHF also took their first flight in May of 2009, also with 12 Veterans of the WWII era on that maiden flight. It has now already flown 2,347 of our senior Veterans.

Now, exactly a decade later, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) prepares to take off on its flight #32 on Tuesday, May 12. LLHF serves Veterans of the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War eras, by providing them with a day long, no cost trip to Washington, DC, to visit the national memorials built in their honor. Serving central and southern Illinois, this flight will have 11 World War II and 74 Korean War era Veterans aboard, plus their volunteer Guardians who pay their own way. The Veterans on this trip tally 15 US Air Force, 41 Army, 7 Marines and 22 Navy.

Departing Springfield shortly after 6 AM, the 85 Veterans come from 55 Illinois communities, proof that heroes walk among us. The towns are Altamont, Arcola, Athens, Auburn, Bethany, Bloomington, Brownstown, Cahokia, Carlock, Champaign, Chatham, Chesterfield, Chrisman, Colfax, Collinsville, Concord, Danville, Decatur, Des Plaines, Dieterich, Easton, Effingham, Eureka, Forsyth, Gillespie, Glasford, Godfrey, Griggsville, Havana, Hillsboro, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Lincoln, Mason, Mattoon, Mt Olive, Mt Vernon, New Berlin, Newman, Normal, Oakford, Pittsfield, Plainview, Robinson, Shelbyville, Sherman, Springfield, Sullivan, Teutopolis, Tower Hill, Urbana, Virginia, Watson, West Salem and White Heath.

Once the charter flight lands at Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC, all will board their Red, White or Blue tour bus. The itinerary will include stops at the national World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, as well as the Air Force and Marine Corps Memorials plus the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. 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 be able to see the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the Pentagon before departing back to Springfield.

The plane will return to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport that evening, arriving around 9:30 PM. Family, friends and the general public are encouraged to come to the airport to welcome the Veterans back and show their appreciation for their service to the country. It is suggested to be to the airport by 8:30 - 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 everyone to assist the hub in locating and signing up our senior Veterans, especially World War II (enlisted prior to 12/31/1946) or Korean War era (01/01/1947 thru 12/31/1957), because all the them on the Wait List have been offered flights. Flying Veterans in the order of their eras, Vietnam Veterans (01/01/1958 to 05/07/1975) on the list will begin flying this fall in order of their applications. A sign-up form can be obtained at the official web site of LandofLincolnHonorFlight. org or contact John Dust, marketing / media volunteer, at 309-339-0227 or HonorFlightGuy@aol.com.

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 within their service area. For more information on the Honor Flight mission, please visit the web site.