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First Honor Flight of 2019 departed this morning from CVG, veterans will return tonight at 8:15 p.m.


The first local Honor Flight of the year departed Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) this morning.

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 — be among the hundreds of locals welcoming them home at 8:15 p.m.”

The trip 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 departed CVG at 7:30 a.m. It will be preceded by bagpipes 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 5:45 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 170 people will be on the American Airlines chartered flight. Each veteran is accompanied by a guardian.

This is the first of four Honor Flight Tri-States of the year. Other flight dates are:

*May 21

*September 24

*October 29

To contribute or volunteer for Honor Flight Tri-State, click here.

Honor Flight Tri-State


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