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Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Flights to salute veterans

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As I was driving through my neighborhood, I saw a small sign that read “Honor Flight of Chicago Salutes Our Veterans.” I immediately knew that an older Veteran must live in that house and chosen last year to participate in an Honor Flight. Because of the COVID-19 virus, Honor Flights were canceled for 2020 and instead of going on a trip to Washington DC, this Veteran received a sign to post in the yard.

Honor Flights began after the World War II Memorial was dedicated on May 29, 2004, in Washington DC. In 2005, volunteers in Springfield Ohio organized the first Honor Flight to take World War II Veterans on a free trip to Washington, D.C., so they could see this monument and the other monuments on the National Mall. By 2017, 140 different Honor Flight networks had been established across the United States. Honor Flight Chicago was established in 2008.

All of the Honor Flight networks operate independently, but they share the common goal of honoring Veterans and thanking them for the sacrifices they made to defend the principle of democracy.

For Honor Flight of Chicago, each flight costs approximately $85,000. While the flights were originally meant for World War II Veterans, last scheduled year’s flights included Veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. The Veterans from Chicago need to arrive at Midway airport by 4AM. And usually don’t return until 9PM at night.

Many volunteer hours are required to arrange the trip. There are volunteers who screen the applications for the free trip, contact the Veterans and make the transportation and meal arrangements for an active day in D.C. There are volunteers in D.C. who meet the plane and help ensure the safety and well-being of the Veterans, including those who need to be assisted in wheelchairs. Family and friends can write letters to each veteran to be delivered during ”mail call” on the plane trip back home. Volunteers are needed to make sure all the mail is delivered. Locally, the returning Veterans are greeted with bagpipe music from Naperville’s Highland Guard.

Though last year’s flights were canceled, we are all hopeful the flights will resume this year.

If you would like to learn more about Honor Flight Chicago or would like to volunteer your time for this project, visit honorflightchicago.org.

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Sue Jelinek
Sue Jelinek
Sue Jelinek welcomes story ideas from ship to shore. Contact her at jelinst@sbcglobal.net.

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