08/19/2013

August 19, 2013 — Seventy-one Tristate veterans and their guardians will take an Honor Flight from CVG tomorrow, destined for Washington D.C. to view memorials and participate in ceremonies that honor their service to their country.

Honor Flight Tri-State is a non-profit organization with a mission is to fly World War II and Korean War veterans to their memorials in Washington, D.C. at no cost. All veterans traveling on this flight are from the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana area.

The Aug. 20 flight departs at 8 a.m. and is the third from CVG this year. It will include a full day of activities, with visits to the World War II memorial, Korean War memorial, Vietnam War memorial, Iwo Jima, and the US Air Force memorial, as well as other Washington D.C. sights.

“Our goal is to honor as many veterans as we can before it is too late,” said Cheryl Popp, director of Honor Flight Tri-State. "If you’d like to help send off the veterans, please come to the airport at 6 a.m. or be among the many locals welcoming them home at 10:15 p.m. later that day. Let’s make sure they know how much they are appreciated."

Beginning at 6 a.m., the flight’s departure will be preceded by bag pipes from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, an Honor Guard ceremony and other special remarks near the security checkpoint.

“This is the third of five honor flights this year and we are very fortunate to have a role in showing our nation’s true heroes how much their community appreciates their service to our country,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer at CVG. “We want to do everything we can on our end to make sure this is a day these brave men and women never forget.”

The next two Honor Flights are Sept 17 and Oct. 22. To contribute or volunteer for Honor Flight Tri-State, please visit HonorFlightTristate.org.