Honor Flight Columbus has more than 200 seats available in 2016 for World War II and Korean War veterans to fly to Washington, D.C., and enjoy a day of honor, celebration and sharing.
“We know there are still many senior veterans who haven’t sent in applications so that we can get them on this one-day, escorted trip,” said Jim Downing, president of the organization. “The trip is free to veterans of these two war periods. They are cared for by experienced guardians, and we can overcome many physical disabilities.”
Honor Flight Columbus has at least six trips planned for 2016, beginning in early April. They travel on chartered Southwest Airlines 737 aircraft and in modern motor coaches when in Washington.
The nonprofit organization has taken more than 4,100 men and women senior veterans from central Ohio to visit the memorials and monuments built to recognize their part in defending liberty. “Thanks to the generosity and support of individual donors, companies and civic organizations who sponsored flights to Washington, we can again fly about 500 senior veterans this year,” said Downing. “The sooner we get an application, the sooner the veteran can enjoy the travel to see the monuments.”
Full information can be found at the website HonorFlightColumbus.Org. The flights are scheduled for 2016 beginning in early April and ending in October and are planned to avoid the hot summer weeks.
In the nation’s capital, the veterans visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington Nation Cemetery, the Korean War Memorial and other monuments commemorating those who have served in the Armed Forces. They leave Port Columbus early in the morning and return about 9:30 that evening. All flights for this year are on Saturdays.
Applications and more information can be obtained from the website or by calling the Honor Flight Columbus office at 614-284-4987.