People in central Illinois have the opportunity to support local Vietnam War Veterans ahead of the final Land Of Lincoln Honor Flight of 2025. Mission #76 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21. It will serve 93 veterans from 62 Illinois hometowns.
The veterans and their guardians will fly from Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4 a.m. to Washington, D.C. They will visit memorials for World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as Arlington National Cemetery and several other museums and memorials. They will land back at the same airport in Springfield around 9:30 p.m. that same day.
The general public, friends, and family are invited to welcome the veterans and their guardians at either end of the trip. Joan Bortolon, LLHF President, says this experience for the veterans may be the only time they receive a hero’s welcome for their service, given the divided public opinion towards the Vietnam War at the time.
Land Of Lincoln Honor Flights are organized at no cost for the veterans and their guardians. Funding is secured entirely through donations. The public’s attendance at the flights’ take-off and landing is also free. Volunteers will direct attendees accordingly and provide shuttle service for those who need it.
LLHF is planning on providing three flights in 2026. Seriously impaired and terminally ill veterans are given priority. Any veterans who, because of an impairment or illness, cannot physically participate may instead take part in LLHF’s “Flightless Honor Flight.” Veterans and guardians can apply for the program of their choosing by visiting www.LandOfLincolnHonorFlight.org.
