Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is in the middle of its 2025 season of honoring war veterans.  The initiative is meant to give local veterans of World War II and the Vietnam and Korean Wars the hero’s welcome they may not have received back then.

The experience itself is a day trip to Washington D.C. and to war memorials, veterans’ cemeteries, and museums.  Tim Sutton, a guardian with LLHF, says the value of this experience far exceeds the financial cost. 

The day’s first stops include the war memorials for the aforementioned wars.  As Sutton describes, seeing the designs, depictions, and stories brings about deep emotions from the veterans who attend. 

This year’s first flight took place on April 15.  Three others are scheduled for June 3, September 9, and October 21.  If you are interested in being part of the experience as either a veteran or a guardian, you can apply at www.LandOfLincolnHonorFlight.org.

LLHF also offers a “Flightless Honor Flight” program for those who cannot participate in an actual flight because of a physical condition.  

Another way to be involved without being part of the actual flight is to watch and applaud the veterans at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport in Springfield at either end of the trip.  This experience draws massive crowds of community members eager to honor those who served. 

More information on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight can be found at www.LandOfLincolnHonorFlight.org.

Tim Sutton appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.