A 'Big Hug' To All Veterans: Honor Flight Will Take Wing, Bringing U.S. Heroes To Visit Washington DC

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SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A dedicated group committed to honoring the nation's heroes will be continuing their mission next month.

Honor Flight Long Island, a volunteer-run veterans’ organization, recently announced its fall flight to Washington, D.C., which will take place on Saturday, October 4.

The flight will take 46 Long Island veterans to visit their military memorials, meet with service branch representatives, and to share memories and stories with fellow veterans, who can understand like no other, the emotional journey.

"Honor Flight’s mission is to honor Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve our freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips to their D.C. memorials," organizers said.

Bill Jones of Southampton, president of Honor Flight Long Island, reflected: "Our fall flight includes 42 Vietnam War veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service. They’ll be accompanied by 4 elder comrades, 1 WWII veteran and 3 veterans of the Korean War."

Jones added: "What this flight really represents is a ‘big hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible," Jones said.

Jones is a U.S. Army Veteran and West Point 1972 graduate.

Thanks to Honor Flight, the 46 veterans will take a free, early-morning Southwest flight to Washington, D.C. Flight #1064 will depart from Islip MacArthur Airport at 6:05 a.m., arriving at Baltimore-Washington International Airport at 7:20 a.m.

After a 50-minute bus ride to the Capitol, Honor Flight officials and guardians will accompany the veterans as they visit the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. They will also visit Arlington National Cemetery, the National Archives and possibly other sites of special interest.

They’ll have dinner at the airport, where veterans can relax before their trip back home to Long Island.

And, upon their arrival, veterans will return on Flight #1757 at 9:35 p.m., for a rousing welcome by the Saffron United Pipe Band, plus applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters, Honor Flight Long Island said.

All are invited to welcome our veterans at MacArthur.

Suggested arrival time for supporters who wish to applaud the veterans is one hour prior to return flight, or at 8:35 p.m.

Next up, a Veterans Reunion will take place on Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, Republic Airport, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale.

The public is welcome to attend for free. AAM opens at 10:30 a.m. and everyone is encouraged to come early and enjoy the exhibits before and after the reunion.

For information about AAM, call 631-293-6398 or email www.americanairpowermuseum.org.

"Come and cheer our heroes during their 'Ceremony of Honors,' as each receives a personalized Tribute Journal full of photos taken during their D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular patriotic medley known as the 'Armed Forces Salute,' featuring the six official musical themes of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air and Space Forces, and Coast Guard," organizers said.

Free refreshments for all provided by Honor Flight.

Veterans who wish to join the waiting list for future Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., can click here or submit an application. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. They will be accompanied by guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400, tax deductible, to offset travel costs. Honor Flight has a cohort of volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting heroes to D.C.

Honor Flight Network has 130 regional hubs across the United States that coordinate trips for veterans to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. The hubs are independent 501(c)(3) non profit organizations that operate at no cost to the veterans they serve.

Since 2005, Honor Flight Network has taken more than 250,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. Since 2007, Honor Flight Long Island has flown more than 2,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their military memorials.