Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is proud to continue its 2024 flying season with Mission #71, scheduled for August 27th , 2024. This mission will honor 96 veterans, including 13 Korean War veterans and 83 Vietnam War veterans from 62 different Central Illinois communities, including veterans from St. Louis, Missouri.

Veterans and their guardians, if needed, will gather at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4:00 a.m. for a chartered Sun Country 737 flight to Washington, D.C. They will visit several significant sites, including the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, and the U.S. Air Force Memorial.

This honor flight is entirely funded by public donations, ensuring no cost to the veterans. Joan Bortolon, President of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, says it is their privilege to continue honoring our American heroes with these flights. Bortolon states the welcome home ceremony is a special moment for their veterans, one they have earned and deserve to be recognized for.

The veterans are expected to return to the Springfield Airport at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27th. The public, including friends, family, and alumni veterans, are encouraged to join the homecoming celebration. Free parking will be available, with volunteers assisting guests in finding spaces and directing them to a shuttle bus that will transport them to the terminal.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight invites all World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to apply for future flights. Seriously ill or terminally ill veterans will receive priority for flight selection. Applications for veterans and guardians can be found on their website. Additionally, LLHF offers a Flightless Honor Flight program for eligible veterans who are unable to participate in the actual flight due to physical limitations.

For more details and to apply, visit www.LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org.