WALDEN, N.Y. (June 1, 2020) — Hudson Valley Honor Flight has postponed two flights and our annual Lunch of Honor this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is especially dangerous for many of our veterans age 60 and older. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed these decisions were guided by one of our core principles: The health and safety of our veterans is our top priority.
Hudson Valley Honor Flight is a local nonprofit based in Walden that honors Hudson Valley area veterans for all their sacrifices. The organization, at no cost to the veterans, brings them to Washington, D.C., to visit their respective military branch’s war memorials. HVHF is also the local hub of the National Honor Flight Network, which has more than 100 independent nonprofit “hubs” nationwide.
Hudson Valley Honor Flight knows that our veteran applicants anxiously await their opportunity to take part in the honor-flight experience. We remain hopeful we will be able to honor these veterans once again in spring 2021, and will announce new flight dates as soon as they are solidified.
The annual Lunch of Honor typically takes place in late fall. Its postponement was driven by the need to protect the health and safety of our veterans and guests. We hope to be able to reschedule the luncheon well after social- distancing restrictions have been lifted so we can celebrate like only 800-plus honor flight patriots can.
“The world has been impacted by COVID-19 and we are no different. In a time like this, we all must secure basic health and safety,” said Hudson Valley Honor Flight Chairman Frank Kimler. “We are truly saddened that we must postpone events we love so much, but we also know in our hearts that it is the right decision. Our veterans mean the world to us and we look forward to seeing them again as soon as possible.”
Hudson Valley Honor Flight is seeking sponsorship for future missions. There are many worthy and eligible veterans worthy of being recognized, honored and thanked for their service to our nation. To learn more, call (845) 391-0076 or visit http://hvhonorflight.com.
ABOUT HUDSON VALLEY HONOR FLIGHT
Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization which “Honors American Veterans” for all their sacrifices. HVHF transports these heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials at no cost to them. It is the local hub of the National Honor Flight Network (which consists of more than 100 independent non-profit “hubs” across America). HVHF flies multiple times a year out of Stewart International Airport and Westchester County Airport. It serves veterans from the following counties: Orange (N.Y.), Ulster (N.Y.), Dutchess (N.Y.), Westchester (N.Y.), Rockland (N.Y.), Sullivan (N.Y.), Putnam (N.Y.), Pike (Pa.), Bergen (N.J.), and Fairfield (Conn.). Veterans from other surrounding counties are considered as well. Top priority is given to those of the Greatest Generation, that of World War II, and terminally ill veterans from other wars. HVHF plans to take ALL veterans from other wars on future flights. Applications are kept on file. For more information, visit http://hvhonorflight.com.
