Honor Flight October 13 to Include Vietnam Veterans

The last of the 2018 Southeast Florida Honor Flights takes on October 13, 2018. The program began several years ago with the mission of escorting World War II and Korean War veterans, free of charge, to Washington. D.C. to see the memorials that honor their service and sacrifice. The October flight is the first time Vietnam War veterans will participate; 27 of them will join 14 World War II vets and 41 Korean War vets. Participants represent all branches of the military. To date, Southeast Florida Honor Flights has hosted 2,650 veterans from Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.

Honor Flights is a non-profit organization and has no paid employees, relying on donations to fulfill their mission. If you would like to make a donation, click here. If you would like to volunteer with the organization, click here. If you would like to refer a veteran who deserves an honor flight, click here.

Also key to the program are the guardians who accompany elderly vets on these trips. Many of the veterans are in wheelchairs or need assistance walking safely. Priority is given to guardians who are family members of participants, those with medical training, and active duty military. The cost is $400, and includes mandatory training. If you would like to be a guardian for an upcoming flight, click here.

Every Honor Flight begins early in the morning, ending when the veterans touch down at  Palm Beach International Airport. The tradition is for them to be given a heroes' welcome. Anyone who wants to participate in the October 13 welcome should be at Concourse A-B on Level 2 with enough time to greet the arrivals. The plane is scheduled to arrive at around 7:20 p.m. Banners, signs, cheers and smiles are welcome!

You can see photos of prior honor flights here, here and here.