Above / With fond memories of vintage aircraft overhead and Honor Flight Riders the DuPage Veterans Foundation “Honor Flight Fundraiser,” the annual event held at Calamos Investments hangar since 2012, will be presented at the DuPage County Fairgrounds for 2023.
Oh! The memories of the American spirit…
Originally, the annual Chicago Honor Flight fundraiser began in the Calamos Investments Hangar at the DuPage Airport, hosted by the DuPage Veterans Foundation on the first Saturday in May.
For 2023, the family-friendly luncheon event is set from 11AM to 3PM Sat., May 6, moved to the DuPage County Fair Grounds, 2015 Manchester Road, in Wheaton. The lunchtime event again is 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.
The event features a lunch buffet, vintage displays indoors and outdoors, military memorabilia, silent auction, live music and old-fashioned all-American spirit with tributes to veterans and their families galore.
During the Honor Flight that departs from Midway Airport, veterans are accompanied by a guardian every step of the way.
Longtime 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.
Update, May 6, 2023 / James Hoch Photography photos and videos of this successful fundraiser for Honor Flight Chicago.
