Seventy-two Tri-State veterans and their guardians will take an Honor Flight from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) Tuesday, destined for Washington D.C. to see memorials and participate in ceremonies that honor their service to their country. All participating vets and guardians are former or current law enforcement officers.
There will be a send-off ceremony at 6 a.m. with 7:30 a.m. flight departure; and 8:15 p.m. welcome home ceremony.
Honor Flight Tri-State’s sole mission is to fly veterans 65+, who served stateside or overseas, to their memorials in Washington, D.C. at no cost. All veterans traveling on this flight are from the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and South Eastern Indiana area.
“Our goal is to honor as many veterans as we can,” said Cheryl Popp, director of Honor Flight Tri-State. “If you want to meet and thank the veterans — please come to the airport at 6 a.m. or be among the many locals welcoming them home at 8:15 p.m. the same night.”
The October 24th flight will include visits to the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Iwo Jima, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the US Air Force Memorial and other Washington D.C. sights.
The flight will depart CVG at 7:30 a.m. It will be preceded by bag pipes from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, a TSA color guard ceremony and other special remarks in the area near the east end of the security checkpoint, all beginning about 6 a.m.
“These events are always so touching and unique to witness,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “We feel privileged to assist with such a special program honoring the veterans in our region.”
The return flight to CVG will arrive at 8:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the welcome celebration at the welcome point in the main terminal.
A total of 150 people will be on the American Airlines chartered flight. Each veteran is accompanied by a guardian, 60 percent of the guardians are family and 40 percent of the guardians are volunteers.
This is the fifth and final Honor Flight Tri-State of the year.
To contribute or volunteer for Honor Flight Tri-State, please visit honorflighttristate.org.
Photos are from previous Honor Flights.
