MISSOURI – 2024 marks the 15th year of operation for Great River Honor Flight. Since Veterans Day 2009, the local Honor Flight hub has been offering FREE trips to Washington, DC for local veterans. “From the very first trip on April 13, 2010 to the latest one on October 19, 2023, our mission has remain constant – Celebrating America’s Veterans by inviting them to share a day of Honor at our Nation’s Memorials,” said Carlos Fernandez, Chairman of the Great River Honor Flight Board.
“None of this would have been possible without the ongoing financial support over the years from the more than 13,000 donors made up of individuals, groups, businesses and the veterans themselves,” added Doug Reed, Treasurer. “Thanks to their commitment, the Honor Flight program locally remains strong and ready to honor our local veterans with these one-day trips that create life-long memories.”
There are many stories from the past 14 years, but the proof of the program’s success lies in the numbers it has accomplished. Among them:
68 Missions, 2,195 Veterans Honored, 430 WWII – 575 Korea – 1,123 Vietnam – 65 Armed Forces Veterans (Including Guardians that number grows to 3,898). Veterans from 69 counties in Illinois (31), Missouri (31) and Iowa (7), 120,904 air miles traveled (more than 5 times around the world), 544 Memorials visited, 140 buses chartered, 11,694 meals served, Over 30,000 bottles of water consumed, and more than 15,000 letters handed out during mail calls.
The top 10 Tri State counties that veterans came from include Adams (699), Marion (284), Pike, Illinois (177), Hancock (174), McDonough (136), Ralls, Missouri (105), Lee, Iowa (95), Lewis, Missouri (77), Clark, Missouri (70) and Pike, Missouri (65). In addition, friends of local veterans from 12 states also were part of the total number. Thousands of pictures from the 68 missions were also compiled into DVDs commemorating this special day which each veteran and guardian received.
“And our mission is far from over,” stated Sharon Lake, Vice-Chair. “Our number one goal is to ensure that all local veterans are aware of this opportunity and sign up for a future flight.” Veterans that have served prior to July 1, 1985 are encouraged to go to www.greatriverhonorflight.com and fill out an application. It is the first step to ensure that they will be added to the list for upcoming trips.
2024 will feature 6 missions. Preparations for those trips are currently being made and dates will soon be announced.
For additional information, contact Carlos Fernandez at csfernandez1951@gmail.com or Great River Honor Flight, PO Box 3723 Quincy, Illinois 62305
