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FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines, in collaboration with EAA Venture and Missions of Honor, hosted more than 100 Vietnam War-era veterans on a special Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight as part of the 73rd annual EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Held annually during the world’s largest aviation celebration and air show, the honor flight serves as a tribute to Vietnam-era veterans and their service to our nation. This year’s flight took place on July 24 as part of AirVenture’s salute to veterans.
The flight, donated by American and operated by an all-volunteer crew, was conducted aboard the airline’s Flagship Valor — an Airbus A321 aircraft that serves as a tribute to those who have served in our nation’s military and in particular, those who have received the prestigious Medal of Honor.
Among the veterans on board was Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, a Medal of Honor recipient who spent more than two decades in service and received the nation’s highest military honor for his leadership during a four-day siege in the Vietnam War.
The veterans flew from Oshkosh to Washington, D.C., where they received a proper heroes’ arrival at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). During their visit, they toured several of the nation’s military and historical landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery, where they witnessed the Changing of the Guard, the Air Force Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Upon returning to Oshkosh, the veterans were welcomed home by thousands of air show attendees in a moving celebration honoring their service.
“Supporting our military and veteran community is core to who we are at American, and we’re so proud to help provide these veterans with a one-of-a-kind honor flight experience that pays tribute to the courage and sacrifices they made to serve our country,” said American’s Manager of Military and Veteran Programs Randy Stillinger. “This trip is just one of the many ways we honor these heroes throughout the year — and we’re grateful to help them get the welcome home they deserve from aviation enthusiasts and military supporters across the country.”
Virtual honor flights bring D.C. memorials to North Dakota veterans
STUTSMAN COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN is making sure local heroes still get their trip of a lifetime, even when they can’t leave home.
The group set up a virtual honor flight Sunday for 89-year-old Korean War veteran Donald Olson in Montpelier, North Dakota. Surrounded by his family, Olson took a virtual tour of Washington, D.C., and the memorials built in his honor.
He shared stories from his time in uniform while his daughter read a letter he’d kept framed since 1955.
The Honor Flight team also brought a virtual trip to Russell Carlson in Jamestown, North Dakota. Carlson’s health kept him from traveling, so staff at the nursing home helped set up a welcome-home celebration as he toured the memorials online.
Korean War veteran finds pride, reflection on Honor Flight Columbus trip to DC memorials
By WBNS 10
Stacia Naquin
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The story of America is built on the service and sacrifice of generations of veterans.
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Korean War veteran Larry Miller is reflecting on his role in that history — and on the men he served alongside more than 70 years ago.
Miller recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight Columbus, a nonprofit organization bringing America’s senior veterans to visit the memorials built in their honor.
Throughout the trip, Miller was greeted with cheers, applause and countless handshakes from strangers eager to thank him for his service.
“Oh, it’s wonderful. I can’t believe it,” Miller said. “I mean, you know, it’s like — why do you want to shake my hand?”
The celebration followed him from stop to stop. But at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the mood shifted.
The memorial honors the men and women who served during the Korean War and stands as a reminder of a conflict often referred to as “The Forgotten War.”
For Miller, it also serves as a reminder of those who never made it home.
As he walked through the memorial, memories surfaced. When asked what the site meant to him, emotion briefly overcame words.
“Too strong,” he said.
After a moment, Miller found the words.
“Those are heroes. They’re all heroes,” he said. “And it’s wonderful that they’re remembered like this. It just gives me goose pimples.”
Miller believes memorials like this play an important role in preserving the stories and sacrifices of veterans for future generations.
“This is why I believe this is wonderful, and we need more of these to remind us of what people have given,” he said.
As America prepares to celebrate 250 years as a nation, Miller hopes those sacrifices will never be forgotten.
For him, the Honor Flight wasn’t simply a chance to revisit history. It was an opportunity to honor those who served and to reflect on his own service with pride.
“I’m so proud today,” Miller said. “I’m proud that I was there and served.”
10TV is proud to share the stories of local veterans traveling to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight Columbus. ‘America 250: Their Service, Our Freedom’ will debut on the 10TV streaming app, starting on Monday, June 29.
Honor Flight Central Florida seeks WWII and Korean War veterans for Mission 37
Madilyn Destefano
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Honor Flight Central Florida is seeking World War II and Korean War veterans to join its Mission 37 flight to Washington, D.C., scheduled for October.
The organization is asking the public to spread the word to have 20 veterans from these eras and 40 from Vietnam participate in the flight.
“Veterans always fly for free, and it would be an honor to have these brave men and women on the flight in October,” the organization said.
Honor Flight Central Florida serves veterans in the community by flying them to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials a grateful nation has built in their honor at no charge to the veteran.
Guardian donors accompany veterans on this one-day trip at their own expense. This covers the cost of Honor Flight-related expenses and provides them with the privilege of accompanying one of our hometown heroes for the day at the National Mall.
For more information, visit HonorFlightCentralFlorida.org.
By Erick George, Valley NewsLive
WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) — Hebron Brick Supply and Alsager Meats are teaming up again for the 2026 Honor Flight Picnic.
The event is set for Thursday, June 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Hebron Brick Supply in West Fargo.
The event is free to attend, with food from Alsager Meats, drinks from Brewtus’ Brickhouse, live music from “The 60s Guys” and a raffle with big-ticket prizes, including an electric golf cart and a Henry H10 Rifle.
Every dollar from raffle tickets and donations goes to Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota, covering travel costs to send veterans to Washington, D.C. to see memorials built in their honor.
Last year, the picnic funded trips for 19 Fargo-Moorhead veterans. This year the goal is 30 or more.
Dan Berglind, senior regional manager at Hebron Brick Supply, said they are proud to champion the heroes who protect our freedom.
“We invite businesses and community members to join us and help make this vision a reality,” Berglind said.
Josh Alsager, owner of Alsager Meats, said great food brings people together, but it’s the shared purpose of supporting veterans that brings them together this June.
“Every meal served and every dollar raised at this picnic is a direct thank you to the brave men and women who served our country, and we are proud to be a part of this mission,” Alsager said.
Organizers are looking for sponsors and say raffle tickets are $10, available now at Hebron Brick in West Fargo, the Moorhead Legion, or at the event.
The official prize drawing will take place Aug. 8.
PR Newswire
TYSONS, Va., April 6, 2026 – The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes is proud to announce its sponsorship of an Honor Flight traveling from Puerto Rico to honor the service of the island’s veteran community. Veterans will fly from San Juan to Washington, D.C. June 12-14 to visit monuments and memorials built in their honor in the second ever Honor Flight out of Puerto Rico.
Eligibility includes veterans who served through May 1975, with priority given to those who served during World War II and Korea, as well as critically ill veterans of all service eras. Learn more here.
“The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes is deeply committed to veterans living in Puerto Rico and their families,” said Andrea McCarren, President of the PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes. “Supporting this Honor Flight provides an opportunity to recognize both their proud military legacy and the unique challenges they face.”
During the all-expense paid trip, the distinguished veterans will visit several iconic locations in our nation’s capital, including the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with the PenFed Foundation to bring an Honor Flight from Puerto Rico,” said Theresa Werner, Board Chairman for Honor Flight. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every veteran, no matter where they call home, has the opportunity to be honored, remembered, and celebrated for their service. An Honor Flight from Puerto Rico is a powerful reminder that service knows no geographic boundaries. We are excited to work alongside the PenFed Foundation to ensure these veterans receive the recognition they have so deeply earned.”
For years, the Foundation has invested in programs, partnerships, and initiatives that uplift veterans residing in Puerto Rico and their families, including partnerships with Paralyzed Veterans of America PR Chapter, Irreverent Warriors and CreatiVets.
In 2023, PenFed Credit Union partnered with Honor Flight Network to sponsor the first Honor Flight in history from Puerto Rico to Washington, D.C. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release documenting the trip here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9150251-penfed-credit-union-honor-flight-veterans-puerto-rico/.
About The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes
Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success in civilian life. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. PenFed Credit Union covers the salaries and administrative costs of The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes, so more of your donation goes right to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org.
PMG-ky2.com
By Victoria Cox Editor
In 20 days, three LaRue County men who left their homes and families to defend our nation and the freedoms enjoyed today will travel to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifices. April 21, 2026, has therefore been proclaimed as Honor Flight Day in LaRue County.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to locating, identifying and transporting eligible veterans on an all-expenses-paid tour of their memorials at the nation’s capital. Honor Flight Bluegrass is a chapter of the network based in Louisville that was created to honor America’s WWII, Korea War, Cold War, and Vietnam War veterans for all their sacrifices.
The round-trip flights not only allow these veterans the opportunity to see the monuments dedicated to their service, but for many, especially Vietnam vets, the flights, and especially the people greeting them at airports, give them closure and a welcome home they never received when they returned from war.
Three LaRue County Vietnam veterans will embark on this journey on April 21: Ronnie Benningfield, Earl Riggs and Gene Keith. On account of this, LaRue County Judge Executive Blake Durrett has proclaimed the day as Honor Flight Day in an effort to call upon all citizens to express their deep gratitude and admiration for the sacrifices of our veterans.
“I’ve not served our country as they have, but I do love to honor them because I think we need them as a member of our society; we need to remember where we’ve been,” Durrett said. “[Vietnam veterans] did not get a very good welcome back to the United States, so we’re going to give them plenty of a good welcome.”
Riggs attended the LaRue County Fiscal Court’s Tuesday, March 24 meeting to accept the proclamation.
“When I was there – and I’m not saying this for you all to feel sorry for me – 200 Americans were killed a day; I didn’t even know that until I left,” he said. “I don’t know what you think about Vietnam veterans, but all I know is I served with some of the bravest men and women in the world.”
The LaRue County Herald News will provide coverage of the honor flight recipients and their experiences after the trip.
Fox 2 now
By Nick Gladney, Laura Simon
ST. LOUIS – The 114th Greater St. Louis Honor Flight is departing Wednesday morning from St. Louis Lambert International Airport for Washington. The flight carries a group of veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War for a day of recognition at the nation’s capital.
The itinerary includes visits to the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam memorials, along with a stop at Arlington National Cemetery. For the veterans on the flight, the trip represents an opportunity for honor, gratitude and healing.
Among those onboard are veterans from the same PTSD support group and two married couples who both served during the Vietnam War. Korean War veterans are also among the remarkable passengers making the trip.
The flight also serves as a milestone celebration for World War II veteran amd Marine Bob Schultz, who is celebrating his 104th birthday onboard the flight. Supporters at the airport greeted him with songs and celebrations as the group prepared to board for the day-long trip.
“They tell me they got all kinds of surprises for my birthday and just my arrival here, it was a big surprise,” Schultz said. “They sang me happy birthday and all that stuff. I don’t know how they can top my arrival with any surprises they might have, but I’m ready for it.”
The veterans are scheduled to return home to St. Louis Wednesday night.
WJHG
By Alexis Lewis
FLORIDA (WJHG/WECP) – More than 120 veterans participated in an all-female Honor Flight from Lakeland on Wednesday.
Female veterans ages 32-91 traveled to Washington D.C., visiting war monuments to honor their service, sacrifices, and loved ones
Senator Ashley Moody met with them at the Lincoln Memorial to deliver a special thank you for their service.
“Our freedom exists because of the courage and sacrifice of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, I had the privilege of welcoming a group of Florida veterans as they toured the national memorials honoring their service. This extraordinary group of all-female service members shared powerful stories from their time defending our nation. Though we can never fully repay them for their sacrifice, it was an honor to meet them and offer my heartfelt thanks,” Senator Moody said.
WBNG
By Madeline L. Adams
SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WBNG) — The Twin Tiers Honor Flight, a program that takes veterans on trips to the nation’s capital, wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the women behind the scenes.
Patty Vincent, president and medical director of Twin Tiers Honor Flight, said her first mission did not go as planned. The trip departed from Ithaca, ran two hours late and did not return until 4:30 the following morning.
Despite that, Vincent said she returned after receiving a phone call asking her to use her medical skills on a second trip.
“I kind of got hooked,” she said.
Vincent has led the organization since 2019. Her connection to the mission is personal — her great-aunt served in the Navy, was head nurse at the hospital in Pearl Harbor during the attack and became the first female captain in the Navy. Vincent said she is named after her.
“She’s buried at Arlington. So quite often when we go there, she’s not far from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, so I’ll go down and have a little conversation,” Vincent said.