Honor Flight Northwest Ohio

Honor Flight Northwest Ohio is part of the larger Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization created solely to recognize America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built and dedicated in their honor. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.

In 2009, CSX Midwest Regional Corporate Council donated $5,000 to Honor Flight Northwest Ohio.

Honor Flight Northwest Ohio kicked off its 2010 season on Wednesday, June 9th, sponsoring 26 World War II veterans on a trip to Washington, D.C. from Express Airport in Toledo. The honored guests had an opportunity to see the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Many of the veterans who travel with Honor Flight do not have the physical strength or the financial means to undertake a trip of this magnitude on their own. It truly is a "trip of a lifetime," in their eyes.

To date, Honor Flight Northwest Ohio has made 12 trips to Washington, D.C. escorting 339 veterans. There are still over 500 men and women on the waiting list in Northwest Ohio. The Honors Flight Network, with hubs in over 30 states, has made it possible for nearly 40,000 veterans to make the trip to the nation's capital, since its founding in 2005.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure that the veterans are treated with respect," explained Lee Armstrong, President of Honors Flight Northwest Ohio. "And as always, their safety is our top priority."

In 2009, CSX Midwest Regional Corporate Council donated $5,000 to Honor Flight Northwest Ohio. I also became a volunteer and help with some of the necessary set-up of the flights, and soon plan on becoming a certified Guardian, one of whom is assigned to each veteran as an escort for the trips. In 2009, I was fortunate to be present when my 86 year-old father and veteran of three battle campaigns in World War II, was selected to be on a flight. As a Vietnam Veteran and his son, I am very proud and humble to be a part of Honor Flight.