46 Long Island Vets Honored With Memorial Trip From Islip To D.C.

ISLIP, NY — A group of 46 Long Island veterans will soon fly from Islip to D.C., where they'll be honored for their sacrifice and service.

On October 5, the vets will fly to the nation's capital to visit military memorials, meet with service branch reps and mingle with fellow vets, thanks to Honor Flight Long Island, a volunteer-run veterans organization.

Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve the nation's freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips so they can visit their D.C. memorials.

“Our Fall Flight includes 43 Vietnam War veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service. They’ll be accompanied on this flight by three elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War," said Bill Jones, HFLI's president, Army veteran and West Point graduate. "What this flight really represents is a ‘Big Hug’ to all of our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible.”

The vets are booked on a free, early-morning Southwest flight to D.C. Departing from Islip MacArthur Airport at 6:05 a.m., made possible by a "major donation" from the Hicksville Veterans Association, HFLI said.

In D.C., they'll visit the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard and the Air Force and Iwo Jima Memorials. They’ll return to Islip that evening at 10:05 p.m., a welcome from the Safron United Pipe Band and a crowd of family, friends and supporters.

"There is no admission and this is a free event, so Honor Flight welcomes all patriotic Long Islanders who love their veterans to arrive at MacArthur Airport 60 to 90 minutes before the expected arrival at 10:05 p.m. so they can join the hundreds of family and friends who will be there to welcome home these heroes," an HFLI rep said.

Next up is HFLI's Veterans Reunion at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale on Saturday, December 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. Museum opens at noon and the public is welcome to attend and enjoy the exhibits, the reunion and the Ceremony of Honors where each vet will receive personalized tribute journals with photos taken during the D.C. trip.

HFLI is currently accepting application from veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam who are interested in getting on the waiting list for future Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. Veterans will fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. The veterans will be accompanied by guardians, "able-bodied volunteers" who donate $400, tax-deductible, to offset travel costs, according to the organization.

Anyone with questions may call Jamie Bowden at 631-702-2423 or email JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.