Come out and support Honor Flight veterans
On September 22nd, 20 local veterans who served during the Korean and Vietnam era will depart Crossroads Global Methodist Church (200 Bays Cove Trail, Kingsport) to participate in an Honor Flight trip. The September trip will be Mission #5 for Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, and we look forward to honoring 20 local heroes with a visit to Washington, D.C. where they will visit the memorials erected by a grateful, thankful nation. Honor Flight trips are at no cost to the veteran.
“An Honor Flight trip is more than a trip. It is an opportunity for veterans to receive the honor they deserve for their military service, sacrifice and valor. This weekend is about honoring them and showing them a grateful nation appreciates and honors their service to our country,” said HFAH president, Michelle Shelton-Stewart. “In addition to being honored, this trip gives the veterans an opportunity to build friendships, have comradery with other veterans and know their community is proud of their service. Many veterans say an Honor Flight trip is a highlight of their life and they are so grateful for the opportunity and the support of their community.”
The veterans travel by motorcoach from East Tennessee to Washington D.C. and stop at the D-Day Museum in Bedford, Virginia. Once in Washington D.C., they are welcomed by local American Legion and VFW posts and Honor Flight volunteers who are proud to serve them. On Saturday, the veterans visit Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard service then it’s on to the memorials – Iwo Jima, Air Force, Navy, World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Wall. As the group travels home on Sunday, they will stop at VMI for lunch with the cadets and then on to the TN/VA Welcome Center where local motorcycle groups and a police escort will greet the bus and escort them back to the church for a welcome home ceremony.
The public is invited to send off Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands/Hardee’s Mission 3 Veterans on Friday, September 22nd at 8 am at Crossroads Global Methodist Church and will travel from the church to Interstate 81, leaving the church at 8:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome to display signs of thanks as the trip begins. The public is encouraged to attend the Welcome Home on Sunday, September 24th at 5 p.m. at Crossroads Global Methodist Church. The route Sunday, September 24th will be Interstate 81 to 26 to 11W; individuals are encouraged to display signs along Highway 11W to the church and welcome these heroes home.
“Many of these service members did not receive a welcome home and this is our opportunity to do so. We encourage people to attend; dress in red, white, and blue, wave flags, hold signs saying thank you – basically anything to show respect and appreciation to these heroes who have defended our freedom,” said Heather Osburn, HFAH Board Member.
Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands considers it a privilege to honor those who served with a trip of a lifetime, with honor.
For more information visit, www.honorflightah.org or our social media accounts which will be updated throughout the trip for family members to follow.
