Most frequently asked questions veterans ask:

Q:  Can my wife (husband) go with me?
A:  No.  At the present time, we have over 6000 WWII Veterans on our national waiting list and thousands more who will apply.  It is doubtful that we will get to every deserving veteran in time.  Over 120 WWII Veterans have passed away while patiently waiting their turn.  Hundreds more will not live long enough to visit their precious memorial.  Can you image how long the waiting list would be if we added non-veteran spouses to our waiting list?  The only spouses that are permitted to go are those who are veterans themselves.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  I am the widow of a WWII Veteran.  Can I go?
A:  Sadly, the answer is "no".  Again, we simply do not have the resources, funding, or seating available to transport all the WWII Veterans who are presently on our national waiting list.  Adding spouses and widows simply isn't an option for our program.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  How much does it cost?  How much money do I need to bring?
A:  The cost is FREE for the WWII and terminally ill Veterans.  You do not need to bring any money, unless you intend to purchase souvenirs.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  Can my son, daughter, grandson, etc. go as a guardian?
A:  Only under certain limited circumstances.  Our TOP priority is the safe travel of ALL the veterans.  A normal ratio is 8 veterans to 3 guardians.  Who will or will not serve as a guardian and how many guardians will be needed is the sole responsibility of the Program Director.  That decision is based upon many factors, such as:
    a.    How many disabled veterans are scheduled to go?
    b.    Of the disabled veterans going, how many will have to be physically carried on and off the bus?
    c.    Which guardian applicants are most qualified?  Medically trained, active duty military personnel and veterans who have previously participated in a flight are given top priority and serve as leadership members.  The applicants physically capable of assisting in the lifting of WWII Veterans are also a top priority.  Once the director feels enough of those positions have been filled, other applicants are then considered.  Again, these decisions rest solely with the Program Director.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  How do you decide which veterans get to go?
A:  Veterans are flown on a "first-come, first-served basis."  Within the applicants, top priority is given to WWII Veterans and all other veterans with terminal illness.  Our second priority is to Korean War Veterans and then Vietnam Veterans.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  What if there is no Honor Flight program in my state?
A:  If a program does not exist in your part of the country, TURN IN AN APPLICATION ANY WAY.  Once the application has been received, you will be invited to participate on a flight in your general region of the country.  You will be responsible for obtaining travel to and from that region.  Example:  You live in Minneapolis Minnesota.  Once a seat becomes available for you on a flight out of Fargo North Dakota, you would be responsible for getting to and from Fargo.  Once there, Honor Flight would cover the cost of the trip from Fargo, to DC and back again.  If you have been on our national waiting list for over 6 months, you will be eligible to participate in our Lone Eagles program.  Please read the web page concerning this special program.  [ Back to top ]

 
Q:  How are you funded?
A:  Sadly, despite our best attempts at fundraising, Honor Flight receives no corporate or government sponsorship.  Our funding comes primarily from individuals across the country who recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices of Veterans and want them to see their memorial before it's too late.  Other significant contributors have been fraternal organizations like local the American Legion, VFW, Am Vets, DAV, MOPH, posts and chapters.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  Can I make a donation to Honor Flight?
A:  Honor Flight gratefully accepts donations from anyone EXCEPT WWII Veterans.  We feel that WWII Veterans have given enough.  This is our way of saying "Thank you"!  Make your tax deductible check payable to one of the following:

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Q:  What if the veteran is on oxygen or will need a wheelchair?
A:  WHEELCHAIRS -- About 30% of the veterans we have been transporting over the past three years have been in wheelchairs.  Our deluxe motor coaches are ordered based upon this fact.  Many of our coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts.  If there is a possibility that a veteran may need a wheelchair during one of our trips, we ask that the veteran bring their own.  If a wheelchair is not available, you can usually sign one out from your local fraternal organization (VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, DAV, etc).  If this still is not an option, please contact our offices at 937 521-2400. 
    OXYGEN -- If the veteran requires oxygen, a prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the veteran's healthcare provider, identifying the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (2-3 liters per minute).  Honor Flight will provide an FAA approved oxygen concentrator for use during the trip.  We also provide oxygen cylinders to be used at the memorials.  If an overnight stay in the DC area is required, we will provide an overnight concentrator to use in the hotel room.  Veterans on oxygen are required to have oxygen cylinders available from their home to the departure airport and also on the return from their local airport back to their homes.  No oxygen cylinders are permitted to be used on the aircraft.  If the veteran requires oxygen during the trip, please call us at 937 521-2400 to discuss arrangements.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  Are terminally ill Veterans given any special priority?
A:  YES!  Such veterans go to the top of the list for the next flight departing to Washington DC as part of our TLC Program. Not only are WWII Veterans given this top priority, but any terminally ill Veteran, who has never been able to visit their memorial, are given the same priority under our TLC Program.  For more information, please visit the link to our TLC Program on the home page.  [ Back to top ]

Q:  How can I start an HFN Hub in my part of the country?
A:  I'm glad you asked!  Please call us at 937 521-2400 and ask to speak with the Founder of Honor Flight, Mr. Earl Morse.  He can also be reached via email at founder@honorflight.org.  [ Back to top ]

 
Q:  Who is in charge of the program?
A:  Throughout the United States there are several programs that operate in conjunction with Honor Flight.  The individual program directors are part of a partnership called the Honor Flight Network.  This governing body establishes general protocols, policies, credentialing, and maintains a national website and oversight of several programs.

The Honor Flight President is Jim McLaughlin.  He can be reached at president@honorflight.org. The Honor Flight program was founded by Earl Morse, who presently serves as Operations Manager.  The program is based out of Springfield Ohio.  Honor Flight Headquarters can be reached at 937 521-2400, or email at info@honorflight.org.  The mailing address is:

Honor Flight, Inc
300 East Auburn Ave
Springfield, OH  45505-4703

Honor Flight National Headquarters

Honor Flight Rochester, MN

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WWII veterans interested in going on the trip, or those wishing to be guardians or volunteers, Application Forms are available at the Lanesboro American Legion,  or by contacting either Harry Kerr at 507 281 0416 or Ted Adams at 507 282 2449 VFW in Rochester, MN or the Honor Flight National Office (937-521-2400) in Springfield, Ohio

You may download or print application forms by clicking on one of the following.  You will need to use your back button to return to this website after you have printed your application.

 http://honorflight.org/apply        WW II Veteran Application          Guardian Application         Volunteer Application

To make a donation, please make your tax deductible check payable to one of the following: