Veterans of World War II have a chance to travel free from Long Island to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 13, to visit war memorials and other sights.
The flight, announced today by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Huntington), who is chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee, goes from McArthur Airport in Islip to Baltimore-Washington Airport.
The flight is provided by Honor Flight, a non-profit organization founded by retired Air Force Captain Earl Morse to give aging veterans the chance to visit the new World War II memorial in our nation’s capital. Honor Flight provide free transportation and meals for veterans wishing to do so. Above is a group at the memorial earlier this month.
The organization hopes to continue the program to include Korean War and Vietnam War veterans in the future.
There are 57 seats available on the flight. They could be open to other veterans, but World War II veterans are given priority. The flight take off around 7:30 a.m. and return to Islip around 8 p.m. the same day.
“Our World War II Veterans made enormous sacrifices to protect our values and freedoms,” Stern said in a statement issued yesterday. “Now that they are finally able to visit a monument to their courage and valor, many are too frail to travel without assistance, both physical and financial. Honor Flight provides this assistance and truly provides 'One more flight with honor' to our brave veterans. I encourage all who are interested to sign up for this trip.”
Veterans are provided with a guardian who assists them and makes it easier for veterans to travel comfortably.
Veterans can obtain more information about the upcoming “Honor Flight” by visiting the organization’s website at www.honorflight.org or calling Honor Flight at 937-521-2400, according to Chris Cosich, the Long Island representative.
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