April 14 flight will leave from Stewart International Airport and May 19 flight will depart from Westchester County
WALDEN, N.Y. (Feb. 13, 2018) — Hudson Valley Honor Flight’s two spring flight dates will take place on April 14, dubbed Mission 19, from Stewart International Airport in Newburgh; and May 19, dubbed Mission 20, from Westchester County Airport in White Plains.
Although qualified, area veterans have already begun to apply to participate in the spring flights to Washington, D.C. to visit their respective war memorials at no cost to them, officials are spreading the word now with the expectation that more World War II and Korean War veterans will want to participate in these spring flights.
Additionally, even veterans who served their nation during this era but might not have served in either war are welcome to apply. Veterans who served before Jan. 31, 1955 are eligible to participate.
“We are looking forward to taking these great men and women who served our nation with such distinction to Washington, D.C.,” said Board Chairman Frank Kimler. “It’s an honor for us, and those who support Hudson Valley Honor Flight, to give them this gift of seeing the war memorials to honor their service. If you know a veteran who served in the World War II or the Korean war era, let them know of this opportunity to see these wonderful monuments which honor their service.”
Each is accompanied by a volunteer personal “guardian” who is responsible for ensuring that the veteran’s trip is a memorable one. Guardians are responsible for covering the cost of their trip.
“We know there are fewer and fewer eligible men and women from this time in our nation’s history still here with us,” said Executive Director Jennifer DeFrancesco. “Time and time again, the very worthy veterans who have flown with us have told us that participating in an Honor Flight is among the most meaningful experiences they have had. Their families say the same thing.”
Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) is a nonprofit organization honoring American veterans for all their sacrifices by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit their respective war memorials at no cost to them. HVHF is also a local hub of the National Honor Flight Network, which has more than 100 independent non-profit “hubs” nationwide.
Since its onset, Hudson Valley Honor Flight has taken approximately 1,400 veterans to Washington, D.C. through the generosity of sponsors like ShopRite. Thus far, many thousands of people are estimated to have been involved with Honor Flight either as guardians or to send off veterans when they depart or welcome them upon their return.
HVHF serves veterans from Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Westchester, Rockland, Sullivan and Putnam counties in addition to Pike County, Pa., Bergen County, N.J. and Fairfield County, Conn. Veterans from other surrounding counties are also always considered.
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
