Category: Latest News
98-year-old Iowa World War II veteran is D.C. bound on honor flight
KCCi Des Moines
Pepper Purpura
DES MOINES, Iowa —
An Iowa World War II veteran will make his first visit to the capitol of the nation he once served.
98-year-old Russell Wright is heading to Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning. He’ll join more than 30 other veterans on an honor flight for three days of touring various monuments, federal buildings and other sights in the city.
Wright is believed to be the last living crew member of the USS Tucson CL-98. His ship spent nearly 60 days off the coast of Japan during his time serving in 1944 and 1945.
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight seeking women veterans for trip to Washington
OLean Times Herald
Savannah Barr
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight is looking for sponsors for its first all-female mission.
In October, 40 women veterans and their female caretakers from Western New York and Bradford will land in Washington, D.C. for a two-day trip. The group will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and receive special recognition at the Military Women’s Memorial. They will also visit other memorials and monuments that have been put in place in honor of women veterans.
“We try to do activities that show our respect for them,” said Donna Quigley, treasurer of Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight. “Sometimes we have groups of school children who come out to meet us and shake their hands, things like that.”
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight hosts three trips a year. Usually, their flights are open to both male and female veterans. But for this trip the organization decided to do something different.
Fundraiser helps Honor Flight reach milestone
KSN 16
McKinzie Payton
JOPLIN, Mo. — A fundraiser for local veterans reaches a major milestone in Joplin this morning. Easterseals Midwest presented a check for nearly $1,900 to three members of the Webb City Elk’s Lodge who are raising money for “Honor Flight of the Ozarks.” Easterseals teaches adults with disabilities the skills they need to live independently and become community leaders.
Adults at Easterseals spent one week collecting donations at Walmart, an energetic fundraiser that involved lots of cheering, line dances, and music. They chose to donate the money to Honor Flight because of their close relationship with the Elks.
“Giving back to our veterans is meaningful for them, and it gives them a sense of purpose. It shows that you know, by giving back they feel a sense of belonging, and it’s just a great responsibility that we all have to give back to our community,” said Tracy Taylor, Easterseals Midwest manager of autism services.
North Star Honor Flight to make inaugural flight in April with 80+ veterans
KAALTV
Alexander Schmidt
(ABC 6 News) – North Star Honor Flight held an orientation day on Sunday for more than 80 veterans and their companions (guardians) participating in the inaugural mission of the North Star Honor Flight Network to Washington D.C. on April 23.
The flight will shepherd the (mostly Vietnam-era) vets on an eighteen-hour excursion of the nation’s capital, stopping at a number of national war memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the National WWII Memorial and Museum, and Arlington National Cemetery.
The Northern Iowa/Southern Minnesota area was previously serviced out of LaCrosse, but the North Star hub restarted last year after being approved as a partner in the National Honor Flight Network.
Stewartville hosts breakfast to help fund upcoming Honor Flight for area vets
ABC 6 News
Alexander Schmidt
(ABC 6 News) – Stewartville’s American Legion Post 164’s Auxiliary held its annual egg bake breakfast to great success on Sunday, serving more than 200 people.
This year, the event raised more than $2,600 to offset costs related to an upcoming charter flight that will carry dozens of Korean and Vietnam-era vets to visit national war memorials and cemeteries in Washington, D.C.
“It’s an experience all veterans should take advantage of,” said North Star board member Jamie Stevenson. “These monuments are built for them, and we’re happy to provide this service to them.”
Local trio raising money for Honor Flight of the Ozarks veterans
KZRG
Lucas Davis
Three lifelong friends from the Ozarks are lacing up their boots once again for a grueling challenge, this time with a mission to support local veterans.
Jonathan Dawson, David Pyle and Steve Taylor, with the help from Zimmer Marketing, are set to participate in the 36th annual Bataan Memorial Death March on March 22, 2025, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Their goal? To raise funds and awareness for Honor Flight of the Ozarks, a nonprofit that organizes trips for veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C.
Middle Schooler raises funds for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight
MSN
Anna Skog
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A middle school student is on a mission to raise $120,000 for the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight — a group that sends veterans to our nation’s capitol.
That amount would cover an entire flight to Washington D.C. Oakland County 13-year-old Abbie Jones became interested in helping veterans because she comes from a long line of veterans.
“My Uncle Johnny was in the army and he struggled with PTSD. In 2015 he ended his struggle. And I didn’t want other families to go through what our family went through,” Jones said.
Mid-Michigan Honor Flight was ‘best experience’ for veterans
She has been on an Honor Flight before and said it was a very “heartwarming experience.” Jones said toward the end of the flight, the veterans started to open up more and she became friends with one.
WWII veteran surprised with Honor Flight trip for 100th birthday
WPRI.com
By Sarah Bawden, Mike Montecalvo
BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) — William Barbeau will be celebrating a major milestone this Saint Patrick’s Day. Barbeau, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II, is turning 100 years old. His secret to living a long life is simple. Barbeau told 12 News he doesn’t drink or smoke and keeps himself active. He has also been playing the clarinet since he was 12 years old.
“I’ve been through a lot of them,” the longtime Barrington resident said, referring to his clarinets over the years. “It’s a very delicate instrument and you have to treat it right.”
SGT. BLUFF AMERICAN LEGION SUPPORTS UPCOMING HONOR FLIGHT
KSCJ
Woody Gottburg
FUNDRAISING FOR THE UPCOMING “HONOR FLIGHT” OUT OF SIOUX CITY THIS SPRING TO TAKE OVER 80 LOCAL VETERANS TO WASHINGTON D.C. RECEIVED A BOOST FROM THE SGT. BLUFF AMERICAN LEGION POST 662 ON MONDAY.
Honor Flight of the Quad Cities announces additional requirements for 2025
KWQC
MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) – The Honor Flight of the Quad Cities announced additional requirements for 2025.
The organization says they have been informed by the TSA that for all future flights, every veteran and their guardian will be required to have a “Real ID” or a passport to board the plane.
A Real ID is a driver’s license or state issued ID card with a star in the upper right hand corner.
The organization asks the public to help get this information to veterans who have not yet gone on an Honor Flight. Check with your state to see requirements to get a real ID and maybe accompany a veteran to accomplish the task.
Honor Flight of the Quad Cities also said they are in need of guardians to spend the day with a veteran as they fly to DC. Prospective guardians can learn more at www.honorflightqc.org and submit an application.
The organization says they are planning three flights for 2025.