“To serve one’s country with a singleness of purpose, gives assurance of that country’s gratitude and secures its best honors.” -Abraham Lincoln
OUR HISTORY
World War II was a dark time when freedom across the world was threatened. Sixteen million men and women responded to the call to protect our nation and the world. Many never came back. Those who finally returned home, came quietly, returning to their families and lives, and asking little in return.
Honor Flight was conceived when the WWII Veteran’s Memorial was at last dedicated in 2004, to acknowledge what these men and women had accomplished. At that point, only one in four WWII veterans was still alive.
Earl Morse, a retired Air Force Captain and Physician’s Assistant, was working in a VA facility in Ohio. He listened as the elderly veterans spoke of wanting to visit the memorial, but recognizing their lack of financial resources and physical stamina.
Earl, a private pilot, asked some of the vets if they would like him to fly them gratis to see the memorial. When hearing the offer, many of these elderly warriors broke down in tears. The first flight consisted of twelve veterans in four small planes and Honor Flight was born. By the end of 2011, over 81,000 veterans had traveled from 109 “hubs” across the country to experience the memorial dedicated to them, with Honor Flight.
Honor Flight Arizona is a non-profit organization that began at the end of 2008 and flew its first trip of 25 veterans in November, 2009. By the end of 2011, 352 Arizona Veterans had traveled to see their memorial.
OUR MISSION
The goal of Honor Flight is to pay homage to our WWII heroes by supporting them on their 3-day journey of honor and remembrance to their memorial at NO cost to them. In 2012, our intention is to raise adequate funding to send 210 veterans on seven trips to Washington, D.C.
Volunteer “Guardians” pay their own way to accompany the veterans on the 3-day trip. They assist with wheelchairs and otherwise ensure the veterans’ safety when loading/unloading the buses and planes. Frequently, the guardians simply lend a listening ear to an emotional veteran who is remembering a painful experience or a lost friend.
Honor Flight Arizona is part of the national Honor Flight Network that establishes protocols and maintains a national website, <www.honorflight.org> . Honor Flight Arizona has an independent volunteer Board who is dedicated to honoring our veterans. We receive no government support. Instead we are supported 100% by community and corporate donations.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Honor Flight Arizona is a 100% volunteer organization. In addition to fund raising, and maintaining our veteran data base, our volunteers plan all aspects of each trip to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. This includes meal planning, hotel accommodations, safe passage through security, water, snacks, wheelchairs, tours, flight planning, boarding passes, welcoming activities, banquet dinners with guest speakers and ensuring that the families are aware of all facets of our trip.
OUR PLIGHT
The cost of each 3-day trip is over $850 per veteran. Each trip of 35 veterans comes to more than $30,000. Our goal in 2012 is to fly seven trips to Washington, D.C. Currently, our waiting list is over 360 veterans and some have been waiting over two years due to lack of funds! The average age of these veterans is 88 years old. All too frequently, we will call a veteran to fly, only to find he is now too ill or weak to travel. Honor Flight AZ receives NO government assistance. We depend solely on you.
WWII veterans are dying at a rate of 1200-1500 per day. OUR WINDOW OF TIME TO ASSIST THESE VETERANS IS CLOSING. WILL YOU HELP US HONOR THESE OUTSTANDING MEN AND WOMEN BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANKS IS GONE?
We NEED your assistance to complete our mission of assisting any WWII veteran who has signed up to experience his or her memorial. Many who have taken this journey have called it the trip of a lifetime. PLEASE go to our donor page to see how you can participate. Remember, all donations are tax deductible. Thank you.
