SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The volunteers behind Southwest Florida Honor Flight organization say their mission is simple: safely transport veterans to Washington so they can be honored at the memorials built for them and finally receive the welcome home they deserve.
The group plans two flights in the coming year, with veterans set to depart from Sarasota in October and from Punta Gorda in April. Each one-day trip takes local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Organizers describe the purpose as “straightforward and pure‑spirited” giving veterans time to visit and reflect at the memorials and to be publicly thanked for their service.
The program serves all U.S. veterans, including aging World War II veterans, any veteran facing a terminal illness, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, and others who served.
(SWF Honor Flight org.)
Veterans travel at no cost and are accompanied by volunteer guardians and medical staff. The flights are funded entirely through donations and community fundraisers.
Honor Flight Network has flown hundreds of thousands of veterans to Washington since 2005. The southwest Florida hub is encouraging eligible veterans and their families to apply for upcoming flights.
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