U.S. Veterans Honor Flight

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

I returned from my first Honor Flight Wednesday night. A non profit organization that takes U.S. military veterans to Washington D.C.
I would like to share my experience and hopefully encourage others to submit an application for an older Vet. Or volunteer to be a “Guardian” of a Vet.

The Guardian is tasked with catering to every need of the Vet. For example: My Vet needed to be helped in and out of a seat and pushed in a Wheelchair.

Honor Flight Network - Honoring American Veterans

Honor Flight is a national organization that transports American Veterans to Washington DC to honor and celebrate them for their service and sacrifices for our freedom.

www.honorflight.org

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

There are Honor Flight “Hubs” throughout the nation. And Michigan has 3 Chapters or hubs. I was a “Guardian” on the Mid Michigan chapter. There are over 1000 Veterans on the wait list for the Mid Michigan chapter alone. And over 30,000 Vets waiting nation wide.

The Veterans application is reviewed and selected by age, extenuating circumstances and or health reasons.

The Guardian also submits an application. You must be 65 or below and in good physical condition to be accepted as a Guardian. I made the age and health criteria and since I did my first Guardianship at 65 yrs old. I can now apply for a waiver for being over 65.

The Guardian does not have to be a Veteran. I am, and many were Vets. But it’s not a requirement.

My Vet was a 94 yr old Korean War vet. His daughter drove him to met me on Monday afternoon and I drove him to a Grand Rapids hotel room for the Tuesday morning departure.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

Here is the two day agenda.

We were met by volunteers to welcome all the Vets.

Here is the check-in to receive our color coded badges to organize by 4 buses red,white, blue and gold buses. We were assigned to the gold bus.

Also on the right is our personal TSA crew. We were all pre screened so were allowed to board with out the normal screening process. And we were escorted to our chartered jet.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

We were met at the Dulles airport by a large welcoming group of 1st responders, Veterans groups and school groups.

First stop was the Korean Conflict Memorial.

Then we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial

Then a short walk over to the Viet Nam wall

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

Next up was the U.S. Army Museum. This 300 million dollar Museum was built primarily by private donations. The Museum is located on U.S. Army installation Fort Belvoir Virginia.

We had an hour and a half. And it wasn’t enough. Every major campaign had a section. The had 360 degree theater with moving and vibrating seats to fully appreciate the explosions and heavy equipment sounds. A very moving short film was shown. After watching, I asked where do I sign up for the U.S. Army? It made even my U.S. Navy vet and I very proud of the U.S. Army.

Of course we liked the Landing craft being loaded for D day display

this 180 degree screen WW1 presentation was very impressive.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

After the Army Museum we headed to the Hotel, we were handed or room cards on the bus. My Vet Leon and I went to the room. We cleaned up for catered dinner and went down stairs.

A Continental Army color guard paraded the colors and national anthem.

I was surprised to see a table active duty Army officers A Colonel, Captain and Command Master Sergeant in dress blues and their wives in formal gowns. We felt underdressed for sure. We eventually found out why they were there.

The MC announced that one of our Vets was a U.S. Army Korean War POW and through an oversight had never received his Purple Heart or POW medal. The Army representatives were stationed at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. And the Colonel would present his medals.

A military historian first read the account of how the Chinese captured he and his other company members. Then the Colonel read the awards.

After a fine dinner we went over to talk to the Captain that was stationed with the
3rd regiment. “The Old Guard”. ( Tomb of the Unknown Soldier).

His duty station would be our first visit the following day and he said he would come say high during our visit. After talking to the Captain for a while Leon and I agreed that our nation still produces the best.

We retired to the hotel bar for one beverage.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

Post script at the end of day one.

We had one World War Two vet.

6 Korean War Vets, two of those being women.

And the remainder were all Viet Nam vets.

light_weight · May 8, 2026

Honor Flight is a great program. The high school I attended takes a group of veterans on Honor Flight twice a year - once in the fall, and once in the spring. I was lucky enough to be selected as a student guardian in 2019 for a Korean War era veteran. It is a whirlwind of a trip - our itinerary looked much like yours. We left around 3:00 A.M. on a Monday and arrived back at 11:00 P.M. on Tuesday.

Many of the veterans have never been to D.C. to see the memorials. I had so much fun wheeling my veteran around during the trip listening to his stories and experiences. It really is a great time. It is also, for many of them, an emotional experience. I especially remember the Vietnam veterans, as the gratitude and appreciation they are shown during the trip is not what they received whatsoever when they returned from service originally.

If you have kids who are eligible to go or you are someone who is eligible to go as a guardian, I highly encourage you to do it, as you build a lasting connection, friendship, and share a great experience with a veteran that both of you will appreciate for years to come. I know I sure do.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

I’m not sure if our chapters allow minors to be Guardians. As you need to help them in the bathroom and stay in a motel room with them.

But it is definitely a good place to donate your time. The Guardian has a $600 donation to help with costs. My American Legion offered to pay for it. But I felt it was worth the cost.

We had 8 medical volunteers. 2 on each bus.

I’ll recap day two later today.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

1st stop on the second day is Arlington Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
We get front row seats and have been selected to lay a wreath.

The four chosen are
The WW2 Vet. The Korean POW that served 33 months in a Chinese prison camp.
And the two women Korean War vets.

At each stop we were given a time to be back at the bus. So I had hoped to visit a friend that is buried 2 graves down from Colin Powell. Unfortunately we ran out of time.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

Next up was the Women’s memorial. The Iwo Jima and the WW2 memorial and then the Navy Memorial which was disappointing after seeing the Army Museum.

Altitude sickness · May 8, 2026

The national Air museum was amazing. Then we flew back home and was greeted by well over 100 family members and volunteers. Then had an hour long ceremony where gifts were handed out to the Vets. We were dismissed after 23:00

It was a very rewarding experience. And hope someone here may be inspired to volunteer to be a Guardian and or nominate a Veteran for the experience.

cwpayton · May 8, 2026

DANG Bro ,very well done ,Im reading a Korean war book now titled "one bugle ,no drums" My x DECEASED father -in-law picked up a purple heart in the Chosin reservoir. Thanks again for the deed and posting.

coreydb · May 8, 2026

I met my father in law, who was flown to DC on an Honor Flight with my sister in law as his Guardian. Living in the DC area, I met up with them when they landed and accompanied them for the day's activities in the Capitol. I am so glad this program exists.

Muskox · May 9, 2026

When I was going to a defense school at Bolling AFB, I bumped into an Veteran honor flight group at the WW2 Memorial. Pretty neat.

Thank you for your service, what a great way to continue to serve.

A friend of mine, one of my old Marine Major's was at the 8th and I. Duty in DC is actually kind of a lot of work. I have tremendous respect for anyone who serves there in ceremonial duties.

The 3 letter agencies and the pentagon are another matter entirely. It is supposed to be career conducive to promotions, I would have done back to back to back to back sea duty to avoid that place.

spike.t · May 9, 2026

All i can say is wow.....uk could learn a few lessons from this me thinks.........

TTundra · May 9, 2026

I was a guardian for my grandfather on an Honor Flight in 2011. He was a SeaBee in the pacific theatre and wore one of his cover that day.

96 WWII Veterans I had the immense privilege to accompany that day. An experience like no other to say the least. Reading the letters that so many wrote to them while on the return flight home was humbling. Very rare to be around so many true heroes.

Im glad to see Honor Flight is continuing on with Korean and Vietnam veterans to honor their sacrifices as well.

Thank you for posting!

Justin D. · May 9, 2026

I had the honor of being in the color guard at Dulles when an honor flight arrived while I was still on active duty. Seeing the faces of these guys, especially the Vietnam Vets who never got a homecoming, was amazing. Many of them in wheelchairs, made their guardian stop, and a few of them rose from their chairs with everything they had and saluted the flag. Watching many of them with tears falling down their faces as they saluted tore me up inside knowing what this meant to them. These honor flights are straight up therapy to many of these veterans and allows many of them to be able to have some type of closure with the things they have been dealing with for decades. Now that I'm retired, these honor flights bring on a whole new meaning. While the names and faces of generations may change, the stories stay the same. Thank you to everyone that makes these honor flights happen for our brothers and sisters.

Russ16 · May 9, 2026

I’ve been in many airports when they are taking off or landing. Being based in DC and traveling several times a month lets me see them. Always moving.

Russ16 · May 9, 2026

One cool experience a few years ago was being in DFW with a group of Pearl Harbor vets being taken back to Pearl Harbor. Coolest part was when they announced one of the honorees granddaughter would be flying the plane as she was a pilot for American.

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