Frequently asked questions
Q: How do you decide which veterans get to go?
A: Veterans are flown on a “first-come, first-served basis.” Within the applicants, top priority is given to WWII veterans and any veteran with a terminal illness. Our next priority is to Korean War veterans and then Vietnam veterans.
Q: Can my spouse go with me?
A. At the present time, our priority is to take as many WWII and Korean War veterans as we possibly can. The only spouses permitted to go are those who are veterans themselves.
Q: I am the widow of a WWII Veteran. Can I go?
A: Sadly, the answer is “no.” Our priority is to accommodate the WWII, Korean War and terminally ill veterans on our waiting list. Adding spouses and widows simply isn’t an option for our program.
Q: How much does it cost? How much money do I need to bring?
A: The cost is FREE for the veterans. You do not need to bring any money, unless you intend to purchase souvenirs.
Q: Can my son, daughter, grandson, etc. go as a guardian?
A: Only under certain, limited circ*mstances. Our TOP priority is the safe travel of ALL the veterans. We typically assign two veterans to each guardian. Decisions such as who will serve as guardians and how many guardians will be needed are the sole responsibility of the program director. That decision is based upon many factors, such as: How many veterans with disabilities are scheduled to go? Of the veterans with disabilities, what level of guardian attention and/or medical support and will they need? Which guardian applicants are most qualified to provide that care? Medically trained, active duty military personnel and other experienced personnel who have previously participated in a flight are given top priority and serve as leadership members. Applicants who are physically capable of assisting in the lifting veterans are also considered priority. Once the director feels enough of those positions have been filled, other applicants are then considered.
Note: Due to these considerations and national network regulations, the spouse of an Honor Flight veteran may not serve as a guardian.
Q: Can I make a donation to Honor Flight?
A: Freedom Honor Flight gratefully accepts donations from anyone EXCEPT WWII and Korean War veterans who are in line for a Freedom Honor Flight. We believe that these veterans have given enough. This is our way of saying “Thank you!”
Q: What if there is no Honor Flight program in my state?
A: If a program does not exist in your part of the country, please apply to the national Honor Flight Network. To access that application, go to www.honorflight.org and click on “Applications.” Once the application has been received, you will be invited to participate on a flight in your general region of the country. You will be responsible for obtaining travel to and from that region.
Example: You live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At this time, there are no hubs in Louisiana. But there are Honor Flight hubs in Texas. You would apply to the national Honor Flight Network www.honorflight.org, and they will connect you with one of the hubs closest to you. You would be responsible for transportation to that hub city. Once there, Honor Flight would cover the cost of the trip to Washington D.C. If you have been on the national waiting list for over six months, you will be eligible to participate in theLone Eaglesprogram.
Q: How are you funded?
A: Our funding comes exclusively from individuals and organizations who recognize and wish to honor the great accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans. Significant contributors have been fraternal organizations like local the American Legion, VFW, Am Vets, DAV, MOPH, posts and chapters. We also benefit from the support of several major sponsors including Kwik Trip, Logistics Health Inc., Festival Foods and others.
Q: What if the veteran uses oxygen therapy or will need a wheelchair?
A: The safety, comfort and enjoyment of our veterans are of the utmost importance to us. As such, Freedom Honor Flight has medical professionals as members of our board of directors plus each flight carries a full crew of physicians, paramedics and medically trained guardians. We are able to safely and comfortably transport many veterans who use oxygen therapy and/or wheelchairs.
OXYGEN — If the veteran requires oxygen therapy, a prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the veteran’s healthcare provider identifying the delivery method of nasal cannula, frequency (pulsed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (2–3 liters per minute). If prescription calls for continuous the maximum upper limit is 3 liters.Freedom Honor Flight will provide an FAA-approved oxygen concentrator for use during the trip. Veterans on oxygen therapy are required to have oxygen cylinders available from their home to the departure airport and also on the return from the airport back to their homes. No oxygen cylinders are permitted on the aircraft. Please call us at608-784-1015to discuss arrangements.
WHEELCHAIRS – More than one-third of the veterans we have been transporting have been in wheelchairs. Freedom Honor Flight furnishes wheelchairs and our deluxe motor coaches accommodate wheelchairs. Many of the motor coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Please call us at 608-784-1015to discuss arrangements.
Q: Are terminally ill veterans given any special priority?
A: YES! Such veterans go to the top of the list for the next flight departing to Washington D.C. as part of our TLC Program. Not only are WWII veterans who are terminally ill given this top priority, but any terminally ill veteran who has never been able to visit their memorial is given the same priority under our TLC Program. For more information, please read more at TLC Program.
Q: How can I start an Honor Flight Network hub in my part of the country?
A: We’re glad you asked! Please call the national Honor Flight Network at 937-521-2400 and ask to speak with the founder of Honor Flight, Earl Morse. He can also be reached via email atfounder@honorflight.org.
Q: Who is in charge of the program?
A: Throughout the United States there are several programs that operate in conjunction with Honor Flight. The individual program directors are part of a partnership called the Honor Flight Network. This governing body establishes general protocols, policies, credentialing, and maintains a national website and oversight of several programs. They also organize volunteers in Washington D.C. who help in various ways to support our visits to the city.
