An eighth Kansas Honor Flight of the year will depart Wichita Mid-Continent Airport at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, carrying 24 World War II veterans, and two Korean War veterans and their guardians to Washington, DC. The veterans are flying on Southwest Airlines for a two-night stay in the nation’s capital. They will return at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19. The public is encouraged to come to the airport to greet these heroes and welcome them home.
In Washington, they will visit the World War II Memorial, the Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial Wall, Lincoln Memorial, Dulles Smithsonian Air Museum, Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where they will see the changing of the guard, and visit Ft. McHenry.
“It is with great pride that the Airport can play a part in honoring these veterans,” said Airport Director Victor White.
Earlier today, Mayor Carl Brewer announced his plans to join a nationwide effort to end veteran homelessness, an initiative led by First Lady Michelle Obama.
The Honor Flight trip has been organized by Kansas Honor Flight, Inc. The mission of Honor Flight is to transport America's veterans to Washington, DC to visit the memorials at no cost to them, with current priority to WWII Veterans. Subsequent to the World War II Veterans, efforts then focus on Korean War Veterans, followed by Vietnam War Veterans, honoring them in similar manner. Guardians, who pay their own travel expenses, accompany each veteran to ensure safe travel. Contributions from the public provide the necessary funding for this trip. Visit
www.kansashonorflight.org to find more information regarding this all-expense paid trip.
The trips are made possible through the cooperation and coordination of the airlines, TSA, ABM Parking, HMS Host, and Wichita Airport Authority staff.
