About Honor flight syracuse
Honor Flight Syracuse: Honoring Our Heroes
Honor Flight Syracuse is a non-profit organization that aims to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country. The organization provides free flights to Washington, DC for veterans from Central NY, allowing them to visit and reflect together at their memorials.
The mission of Honor Flight Syracuse is simple: to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans and provide them with an opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated in their honor. The organization operates on a priority basis, giving preference to elder WWII veterans, Korean War veterans, terminally ill veterans from any era, as well as Vietnam War veterans.
The idea behind Honor Flight Syracuse was born in 2005 when Earl Morse, a physician assistant working at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ohio noticed that many of his patients had never visited the memorials built in their honor. He decided to take matters into his own hands and organized a flight for 12 WWII veterans from Ohio. This marked the beginning of what would become known as Honor Flights.
Since then, Honor Flights have become increasingly popular across America with over 200 hubs operating nationwide. In Central NY alone, over 1,500 local heroes have been flown out on an Honor Flight since its inception in 2012.
Honor Flight Syracuse is run entirely by volunteers who are passionate about honoring our nation's heroes. From pilots and medical personnel to guardians who accompany each veteran on their trip - everyone involved donates their time and expertise free of charge.
Each trip begins early in the morning with a send-off ceremony where family members gather alongside community members waving flags and cheering on these brave men and women as they embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Upon arrival in Washington D.C., they are greeted by crowds of people thanking them for their service before being taken on tours around some of America's most iconic landmarks including Arlington National Cemetery where they witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
The trip is an emotional one for many veterans who have never had the opportunity to visit these memorials before. For some, it's a chance to reconnect with old friends and comrades while for others, it's a chance to reflect on their service and sacrifices made.
Honor Flight Syracuse is more than just a flight - it's an opportunity for our community to come together and show our appreciation for those who have served our country. It's a way of saying thank you to those who put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
In conclusion, Honor Flight Syracuse is an organization that deserves recognition and support from all members of our community. By donating your time or money, you can help ensure that these brave men and women are given the honor they deserve. Let us continue to honor our heroes by supporting Honor Flight Syracuse in its mission to recognize their sacrifices and contributions towards making America great!