Volunteers sought for special Father’s Day Honor Flight reception at MHT airport

A very special Father's Day flight is planned for June 18.

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Father’s Day Honor Flight reception planned for June 18 at MHT.

MANCHESTER, NH – Honor Flight New England invites everyone who has had a father or is a father to join them in giving a warm Father’s Day send-off to 25 World War II and Korean War veterans, who will be flying out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on Father’s Day for a trip of a lifetime – destination, Washington, D.C., to experience their national War Memorials – a trip they otherwise would never make in their lifetimes.

Traditionally family, friends and members of the public with a heart for those who’ve served gather before and after the flights to send-off and welcome home those who are fortunate to be on the Honor Flights – part of a national movement to make sure those who served can visit the memorials, built in their honor.


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Volunteer “guardians” assist veterans every step of the way while in Washington, D.C.

⇒Related Story: She Was Guardian to a ‘Hero’


The bus is pulling up on June 18 at around 7:15 a.m. at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, so those planning to attend should arrive and be assembled for 7 a.m. or shortly thereafter. Veterans and their “guardians” will be welcomed back home at 10:50 p.m. Those who can’t be present at the airport are encouraged to consider making a donation to the non-profit organization, which has since its inception, organized 45 round-trip flights and transported 1,621 local veterans, all expenses paid, to Washington, D.C.

Honor Flight New England was founded in 2009 by Joe Byron, a former Manchester Police officer who now works as Senior Services Coordinator for the Office of the Hillsborough County Sheriff. Since joining with the national Honor Flight organization, dedicated to honoring America’s most senior veterans, Byron and the Honor Flight Board, along with countless volunteer guardians continue to transport veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials at no cost to the veterans.

Top priority is currently given to the WWII Veterans, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Beginning in 2016, Honor Flight New England began transporting Korean War Veterans. Although all 2017 flights are already booked, you can sign up here to get a loved one on an upcoming flight, become a guardian or volunteer in some other capacity.

With approximately 500 WWII Veterans dying each day, and many Korean War Veterans not being far behind in age, now is the time to express gratitude to these brave men and women. Honor Flight New England’s inaugural flight was June 13, 2009. Of the 50 veterans and guardians traveling on that flight, 14 were WWII II prisoners of war and five were World War II heroes, including one war veteran who had lost his sight while serving his country.

Veteran heroes aren’t asking for recognition. But it is Honor Flight’s mission to make sure they get the kind of experience they deserve, a small token of appreciation for those who gave so much.

To get more information, or to make a donation, contact Honor Flight New England,  PO Box 16287, Hooksett, NH, 03106; 603-518-5368, or email honorflightnewengland@gmail.com

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!