The annual Chicago Honor Flight fundraiser is held in the Calamos Investments Hangar at the DuPage Airport, hosted by the DuPage Veterans Foundation on the first Saturday in May. The family-friendly luncheon event is held to raise funds to send World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., where they tour the national war memorials, all expenses paid.
During the Honor Flight that departs from Midway Airport, veterans are accompanied by a guardian every step of the way.
Organizers like to say the Honor Flight is a tribute to this nation’s most senior war veterans, recognizing their “bravery, determination and patriotism” during an impeccably-planned, well-orchestrated, one-of-a-kind journey to Washington.
“The trip is only one day, but the experience is life-changing,” organizers say.
Veterans at first may insist they don’t want to take the Honor Flight. Veterans who take the trip always become the best advocates, encouraging other veterans to sign up to experience the Honor Flight as soon as possible.
