Six staff members from the Lubbock VA Clinic volunteered to participate in the Texas South Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., June 1-3.
The Texas South Plains Honor Flight completed its 11th mission this year. Their mission is to provide the trip of a lifetime to South Plains Veterans by taking them on an all-expense paid trip to our nation’s capital and see the monuments and memorials built in honor of their service to our country.
“After a year of planning, it’s so awesome to see the smiles and hear the stories from our Veterans,” said Angela Allen, Education Service. “Every year, our team comes home from the flight saying, ‘Man, this was the best trip ever,’ and this year was no different.”
Veterans visit celebrated sites
Over the course of three days, the Veterans were able to view many sites, including the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial; the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Memorials; Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
“For some of our Vietnam Veterans, it is a chance to heal decades-old wounds and create relationships with other Veterans who shared similar experiences. It fills my heart to be able to volunteer with the Honor Flight that honors Veterans in this unique way,” Allen shared.
This year, the Texas South Plains Honor Flight took 11 Korean War Veterans and 74 Vietnam Veterans. They were accompanied by 40 guardians who assisted with wheelchairs to ensure Veteran safety and 18 staff members who oversee coordination, safety and logistics of the trip.
The National Honor Flight Network is 100% volunteer and donation driven to provide Veterans with this amazing opportunity.
“I come from a large family of Veterans, including my twin sons,” said Rieta Starnes, nurse at the Lubbock VA Clinic. “I did not serve in the military, so this is how I serve—being a nurse with VA and helping give our Veteran’s the trip of a lifetime.”
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i how do you pick who goes on this trip
I would like to know if I could bring my wife on a trip like this. I’m a Vietnam veteran with 70% disability and I’m 70 years Old. My father is a World War II who served with the 82nd airborne and he Was a part of bringing back the unknown soldier. He’s not with us anymore and he missed out on the World War II memorial I would very much like to go. I also have great great great grandfather who served in the revolutionary war. He took a cannonball to the calf of his leg, but made it to Yorktown to see the British surrender.
My dad was a Korean War veteran and he died before their memorial was constructed. I work at a Midwest VA Hospital to honor my dad. In 2013 I spent my birthday week on vacation in DC and went to the WWII memorial every morning to watch the honor flights arriving. It’s amazing to witness our nation’s heroes seeing their memorials. The Honor Flight organization is fantastic, and I saw first hand that these people were having a very memorable experience.
My 30 year old son and I went on DFW Honor Flight 51. I’m a Vietnam veteran. I can honestly say that it was two of the best days of my life. Thanks to all the Honor Flight volunteers. They are great.
I had the distinct honor of going on the Honor Flight out of Manchester, NH, this past June 16th! Besides a few minor issues the overall experience was very exceptional! My Guardian was so attentive to my every need! I’m going to be 82 in August the Lord willing! The love and respect shown to all us Veterans Was outstanding! I wish to thank ALL involved granting us this most wonderful opportunity! I served in Vietnam as a Sentry Dog Handler in 1967-68.
thank you all! for zerving the veterans. god bless you all!
vietnam vet airforce.
Are there any organizations in Colorado and how do you qualify for this honor?
If there is an honor flight next year for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War I’d certainly like to participate as I was there those final hectic days at Tan Son Nhut airport as an 18 year old Marine radioman and would like to go to DC and see if the guys who died there is on the wall. I know I can look it up online but I need to see it myself.
I took the Honor Flight from Melbourne, FL in 2016. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime . I will always be grateful for the opportunity to take the trip. Virginia Jones, WWII Navy Veteran and USAF Korean Veteran.
I Took this trip on 6/15/2024 from Philadelphia Pa. There were 175 Vets on five Buses. Everything and I Mean Everything was FREE ! The fantastic staff, and volunteers are to be commended. Upon our Return home, we were escorted by the De, and Pa State Police, Fire and Rescue, and about 200 Motorcycles !! , as we got closer to our starting point there people line up waiving flags and cheering all along the way. Once we got to our destination, we were greeted by the United States Air Force Drill Team, The Eagles Cheerleader’s, Bagpipers, and local officials. It was a trip that I cant stop thinking about to this day. If you have the opportunity to attend, Don’t miss out.
(Honor Flight) I was fortunate to have been selected (Viet Nam Veteran) to Participate in the Honor Flight out of Purdue University Airport in West Lafeyette, Indiana this past April 16th, 2024. It was a trip that I will long remember. The Volunteers were absolutely wonderful. the flight crew were excellent and i met many Great fellow Veterans along the trip. The welcome home we received upon the end of the trip took my breath away! Thanks Honor Flight!!!
p.s. My wife was my caregiver on the trip. We paid airfare charge of $500. for her air travel and it was money well
spent. I whole heartily recommend it.
How did your spouse get to go as one of the stipulations is that no spouse or partner can participate as a guardian? Just curious as my wife was denied. Thanks
Greetings, the Veteran stated that their spouse is the caregiver, which means they are more than likely the VA approved designated caregiver.
I was honored to go on an Honor Flight back in October. It was a beautiful experience to see all of our Nations Monuments on the Mall in DC to give credit to all of our Veterans who served our country. The “Welcome Home” was so great to hear after 53 years when I got out in 71. Thank you all who donated and that all the Volunteers who also guided us, feed us, had a nice place to sleep and transported us. Thanks again for all your assistance.
How does one enroll to participate in this program?
This link should be of some help, there are Honor Flight hubs in about 42 states, just search for honor flight in you state. https://www.honorflight.org
Here’s a link to the national organization. Find a local one and apply directly to them. https://www.honorflight.org/how-to-apply/
About all I can say is I would love to go on a tripe of a lifetime like this.
How does someone get selected for this?
Do u know that this “organization ” is a complete scam. Vietnam veterans and older have care givers or asst. From loved ones that either had to pay the out Landish fees to travel or let a so called caregiver ” to do what there loved ones done for X amount of yrs oh and the caregiver is a punk teenager or old scammer type looking to steal anything and everything not bolted down. DO NOT DONATE TO ANY NON PROFIT EVER AGAIN JUST GIVE WHAT U CAN IF ITS NOTHING THAN A SIMPLE -HELLO- OR -HOW R U- GOES ALONG WAY
You wrong. I don’t know where you get your info from. No one I’ve ever met in the years I’ve participated has ever paid a dime for this trip and your judgemental comments about punk teenagers/ old scammers is rude and disrespectful and inaccurate. Again in my experience I have yet to meet so called looking caregivers that steal or whatever. I’m sorry if you’ve had a bad experience but not everyone has bad experiences. Telling ppl not to donate isn’t your call! It takes away from the. Mission of the non profit. You can choose not to donate yourself. I hope you have a better experience with this organization and other non profits.
You are so full of crap. They don’t charge care givers outlandish fees, they are asked to contribute about $500.00 to cover their flight and related expenses. Try flying anywhere and spending a weekend anywhere for less than that.
VA clinics or hospitals don’t care about veterans they just want to bum rush them out of the hospital under an unsafe discharge and patients die soon after
Honor Flights has nothing to do with the government, it’s a non-profit organization that provides trips for veterans, free of charge. If you have issues with the VA go whine on the VA page. ?
What are you talking about? What does this have anything to do with the Honor Flight. A trip to honor our veterans, myself included would love to be able to be a part of something so memorable. I don’t know who you’re talking about and what patients have been pushed out of the hospital to die, bc I’m 80% with 100% compensation with service connected disabilities rendering me unemployable. I have never EVER been treated never heard of this happening. Stop spreading false information that you probably hear or read about from someone else. Are you even a veteran?
Looking at going on Honer Flight.What do I have to do?
Here’s a link to the national organization. Find a local one and apply directly to them. https://www.honorflight.org/how-to-apply/
Here’s a link. https://www.honorflight.org/how-to-apply/. From that site, you can find a local chapter and apply to them.
I am a Vietnam vet. When will be the next trip? I have never been to D.C.
I’d like to know how to qualify for honor flight? I’m 75 this June.
I would like to be part of a flight before I’m physically unable.
I live in Taylors SC
You need to contact a local chapter. You can get contact information here: https://www.honorflight.org/how-to-apply/
I went on one in 2001 with my Dad. It was very enjoyable, and I will remember it forever. If you get the chance to go do it. My Dad was a WWII vet, and I am a Vietman vet. My Dad passes during covid at the VA home in Amarillo. He could not understand why no one could not visit him.
That is so very wonderful. Thank you all and God Bless