OUR MISSION
The mission of Honor Flight is to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country.
THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK
The Honor Flight Network is a national network comprised of independent Hubs working together in furtherance of the Honor Flight mission. In furtherance of this common goal, we have the opportunity to show our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, to remember friends and comrades lost, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. All honored veterans travel at no cost to the veteran.
The Honor Flight Network is currently serving veterans from the WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War eras. We also serve terminally ill veterans serving during any era. Please visit the website or contact your Regional Hub for information on applying as a veteran or guardian for an Honor Flight trip.
The Honor Flight Network is currently serving veterans from the WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War eras. We also serve terminally ill veterans serving during any era. Please visit the website or contact your Regional Hub for information on applying as a veteran or guardian for an Honor Flight trip.
THE HISTORY OF THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK
The Honor Flight Network was cofounded by Earl Morse, the son of a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, and Jeff Miller, a small business owner and son of a WWII veteran.
Earl Morse, Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, worked in a Department of Veteran Affairs clinic in Springfield, OH. After the National World War II Memorial was completed in 2004, he realized many of his WWII patients would not be able to travel to DC to visit their memorial. Morse, himself a pilot, offered to fly with two veterans to Washington. In January of 2005, he pitched the idea to about 300 private pilots at his local Air Force aeroclub. He proposed the pilots would pay for the flights and personally escort veterans around the city. Eleven additional pilots volunteered. By January 2005, a board was formed, funds were raised, and other volunteers had joined. On 21 May 2005, six small planes flew 12 veterans to Washington, DC for the first Honor Flight. A combination of small planes and commercial flights were used to transport a total of 126 WWII veterans that first year.
In late 2005, Jeff Miller, a dry-cleaning company owner in Hendersonville, NC, inspired by Morse, had a similar idea but on a larger scale – to charter entire commercial jets! Jeff, the son of a World War II veteran and nephew of a B-24 pilot who died in the war, had been a charter member of the National World War II Memorial Foundation. Miller was also concerned that local WWII veterans would never visit their new memorial. Miller formed HonorAir and began flying great numbers of WWII veterans from the Asheville Regional Airport using enormous chartered jets. By the end of 2006, HonorAir had flown more than 300 WWII veterans to their memorial. His actions revolutionized the mass movement of these senior heroes to Washington D.C.
In February of 2007, Morse and Miller met in Washington, DC at the first “Summit” and merged Honor Flight and HonorAir into what is now known as the Honor Flight Network. By 2017, there were 140 Honor Flight Network regional hubs across the United States. Now, HFN is escorting WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to see their memorials in DC. At the end of the 2019 flying season, the network has escorted over 250,000 veterans to their memorials, free of cost to the veterans.
In the Spring of 2008, Senator Bob Dole nominated both Earl Morse and Jeff Miller for the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal was awarded to Morse and Miller by President George W. Bush in the Oval Office in December of 2008.About Talons Out Honor Flight
See Earl Morse’s video: This is Honor Flight
Earl Morse, Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, worked in a Department of Veteran Affairs clinic in Springfield, OH. After the National World War II Memorial was completed in 2004, he realized many of his WWII patients would not be able to travel to DC to visit their memorial. Morse, himself a pilot, offered to fly with two veterans to Washington. In January of 2005, he pitched the idea to about 300 private pilots at his local Air Force aeroclub. He proposed the pilots would pay for the flights and personally escort veterans around the city. Eleven additional pilots volunteered. By January 2005, a board was formed, funds were raised, and other volunteers had joined. On 21 May 2005, six small planes flew 12 veterans to Washington, DC for the first Honor Flight. A combination of small planes and commercial flights were used to transport a total of 126 WWII veterans that first year.
In late 2005, Jeff Miller, a dry-cleaning company owner in Hendersonville, NC, inspired by Morse, had a similar idea but on a larger scale – to charter entire commercial jets! Jeff, the son of a World War II veteran and nephew of a B-24 pilot who died in the war, had been a charter member of the National World War II Memorial Foundation. Miller was also concerned that local WWII veterans would never visit their new memorial. Miller formed HonorAir and began flying great numbers of WWII veterans from the Asheville Regional Airport using enormous chartered jets. By the end of 2006, HonorAir had flown more than 300 WWII veterans to their memorial. His actions revolutionized the mass movement of these senior heroes to Washington D.C.
In February of 2007, Morse and Miller met in Washington, DC at the first “Summit” and merged Honor Flight and HonorAir into what is now known as the Honor Flight Network. By 2017, there were 140 Honor Flight Network regional hubs across the United States. Now, HFN is escorting WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to see their memorials in DC. At the end of the 2019 flying season, the network has escorted over 250,000 veterans to their memorials, free of cost to the veterans.
In the Spring of 2008, Senator Bob Dole nominated both Earl Morse and Jeff Miller for the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal was awarded to Morse and Miller by President George W. Bush in the Oval Office in December of 2008.About Talons Out Honor Flight
See Earl Morse’s video: This is Honor Flight
In Charlotte, N.C. many participated in the formerly known “Rotary District 7680 Flight of Honor”. The Flight of Honor was a service project of Rotary District 7680 which honored the lives, valor and courage of World War II veterans who lived in mid-western North Carolina. During 2009 to 2011, Rotary District 7680 Flew 800+- WWII Veterans to Washington D.C.
Saturday April 18th, 2009 Rotary District 7680 sponsored 100 Veterans to Washington, DC for their 1st Rotary District 7680 Flight of Honor on a chartered U.S. Air flight. Led by Past District Governor Bob Wilson said “Rotary is neither a religious nor a political organization, but because it is neither, Rotary is perfectly suited to sponsor this program and to offer the citizens of our communities an opportunity to participate in this worthwhile tribute. I strongly encourage the Rotary clubs in District 7680 to embrace this program and celebrate the lives of the World War II Veterans who live in their communities.”
2017, Queen City Honor Flight, Inc 501(c) (3) was established, and announced. The Queen City Honor Flight Hub is proud to once again be a part of Honor Flight Network’s mission to bring all veterans to their own memorials in Washington DC. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Queen City Honor Flight flew our first mission: 94 Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials and receive the honor they so richly deserve.
Since October of 2017 Queen City Honor Flight has flown over 311 veterans on One Last Mission to Washington D.C. World War II, Korea, Vietnam and terminally ill veterans from other conflicts take priority status.
We are an all-volunteer organization, operating strictly on the generous donations of our community. We can proudly say that over 96 cents of every dollar donated to Queen City Honor Flight goes directly towards getting our veterans to Washington D.C. and honoring them in the best way possible.
For the most up-to-date figures on Queen City Honor Flight, please email Donations@QueenCityHonorFlight.org
Support, donations, and applications can be sent to:
Queen City Honor Flight
13663 Providence RD # 389
Weddington, N.C. 28104-9373
For further information, please contact us at (877) 337-QCHF (7243)
or via email at [email protected]
Saturday April 18th, 2009 Rotary District 7680 sponsored 100 Veterans to Washington, DC for their 1st Rotary District 7680 Flight of Honor on a chartered U.S. Air flight. Led by Past District Governor Bob Wilson said “Rotary is neither a religious nor a political organization, but because it is neither, Rotary is perfectly suited to sponsor this program and to offer the citizens of our communities an opportunity to participate in this worthwhile tribute. I strongly encourage the Rotary clubs in District 7680 to embrace this program and celebrate the lives of the World War II Veterans who live in their communities.”
2017, Queen City Honor Flight, Inc 501(c) (3) was established, and announced. The Queen City Honor Flight Hub is proud to once again be a part of Honor Flight Network’s mission to bring all veterans to their own memorials in Washington DC. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Queen City Honor Flight flew our first mission: 94 Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials and receive the honor they so richly deserve.
Since October of 2017 Queen City Honor Flight has flown over 311 veterans on One Last Mission to Washington D.C. World War II, Korea, Vietnam and terminally ill veterans from other conflicts take priority status.
We are an all-volunteer organization, operating strictly on the generous donations of our community. We can proudly say that over 96 cents of every dollar donated to Queen City Honor Flight goes directly towards getting our veterans to Washington D.C. and honoring them in the best way possible.
For the most up-to-date figures on Queen City Honor Flight, please email Donations@QueenCityHonorFlight.org
Support, donations, and applications can be sent to:
Queen City Honor Flight
13663 Providence RD # 389
Weddington, N.C. 28104-9373
For further information, please contact us at (877) 337-QCHF (7243)
or via email at [email protected]