Planning, fundraising efforts behind the Honor Flight
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials built in their honor, but what many don’t see are the months of planning, fundraising and community effort that make each flight possible.
Volunteers with Honor Flight Tri-State organize four flights each year.
The group works year-round to collect donations and host fundraisers to pay for the trips.
“The stories these guys tell, you have to get it firsthand,” describes Tom Popp. “I mean, these guys saved our world.”
The Honor Flight began with a physician’s assistant in Springfield, Ohio, in 2005.
His goal was to send veterans to war memorials at no cost to them.
For veterans like Alan Garten, the journey is priceless in many ways.
“It feels very, very nice to be honored for the service that we gave,” explained Garten, who served in the Vietnam War. “Back in 1971, when I came back from Vietnam, not too many people were going to say thank you for your service or anything else.”
One of the most popular fundraising events is the Honor Run Half Marathon.
The run started in 2014 and has raised more than $430,000 to help send 800 Tri-State veterans to Washington, D.C.
“Well, these people risk their all for our country, and I think it is so important that they get the opportunity to go back to sacred ground,” said Cassie Hughes, who participated in the 2024 Honor Run Half Marathon.
On Nov. 15, Honor Flight Tri-State will host its third annual bourbon and barbecue event.
Last year, the event raised nearly $30,000.
“We’ll be brewing our own land at Willow Run Distillery downtown,” said Cheryl Popp. “You know, it’s the silent auction, then we have a beautiful buffet and then we have music by Floyd in the Walkman.”
The final Honor Flight of the year is Oct. 28, and it’s completely paid for by Vance Outdoors.
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