Honor Flight Northeast Indiana
Honor Flight Northeast Indiana is a recognized independent hub of the Honor Flight network and was created to raise funds and provide volunteers to take veterans from WWII and all wars after directly from Fort Wayne to Washington DC. Upon arrival, motor coaches will be standing by to transport them to their WWII Memorial, as well as other memorial stops throughout the day, before flying them back home the same evening. All of our flights are 100% funded by individual and corporate contributions. We receive no funding from any level of the government – federal, state, or local. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of applicable tax law. Please use the donate options on the left to donate in honor or memory of a veteran in your life, or just to say “Thank You” to those who paid the price! You can also mail your contribution to the address on at the bottom of our website.
How it all started next door……in Springfield, Ohio.
In May of 2004, the WWII Memorial was finally completed and dedicated in Washington DC. This quickly became the topic of discussion among WWII veterans who were patients at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Springfield, Ohio.
Earl Morse, a Retired Air Force Captain who is also a Physician Assistant at the clinic, asked these veterans if they would ever travel out to visit their memorial. Most felt that eventually, somehow, they would make it. As summer turned to fall, and then winter, these same veterans returned to the clinic for their follow-up visits. Earl asked if they accomplished their dream of visiting the WWII Memorial. By now, reality had settled in. It was clear to most that it simply was not financially or physically possible for them to make the journey. Most of these WWII heroes were in their 80s and unable to complete a trip on their own. Families and friends also lacked the resources and time. Earl could tell that the majority of the veterans had given up all hope of ever visiting the memorial that was created to honor their services and the services of their fellow comrades who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The World War II Memorial in Washington DC was completed and dedicated in May 2004. It is a long overdue “Thank You” to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom, and a memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was so long overdue that many WWII survivors have been unable to visit their memorial due to the barriers of advanced age, such as health matters, stamina, finances, or other travel impediments. Honor Flight provides a way for many of these veterans to visit and reflect at their memorial.
WWII veterans pay nothing for this trip. They have given enough. Honor Flights are funded by community donations from generous individuals, corporations, foundations, and other groups who wish to be an important part of honoring these heroes. The cost is also defrayed in part by Honor Flight volunteer “guardians,” who make a substantial donation in order to honor veterans in a very personal way, escorting them and being there to help as needed throughout the day.
The immediate focus of the Honor Flight Network will always be on our WWII veterans and those veterans from any war that have a terminal illness; however, the vision goes beyond WWII. Honor Flight is now paying tribute to America’s other heroes that served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, followed by veterans of more current wars. They too have given much and it is time to show them that their efforts will not be forgotten.
