ABOUT HONOR FLIGHT SD




			Thank you for your interst in Honor Flight South Dakota Veterans Organizations and other volunteers have formed "Honor Flight South Dakota", a HUB of the Honor Flight Network. The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving WWII veterans a free trip to see their national memorial in Washington DC. The National WWII memorial in Washington DC was completed and dedicated in 2004. Since the dedication, the Honor Flight concept was launched to recognized the service and sacrifice of American Veterans with a visit to the national memorials at NO COST to the veteran. Most WWII veterans are now in their 80's and do not have the where-with-all to travel on their own. Honor Flight Guardians travel along providing assistance, and help veterans have a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience. As you can imagine, there are many details in a project like this, help is needed from many volunteers and organizations, and fundraising is also key to the sucess of this project. Donations canbe; made online, deposited at any First Premier Bank Location in South Dakota; or mailed to Honor Flight South Dkaota, PO Box 947, Sioux Falls SD 57104 The group of volunteers organizing the Honor Flight SD project is small and we're counting on individuals and groups like you and yours to take this project to heart and hold a fundraising event. Our Honor Flight South Dakota board and volunteers are available to help you with your project or speak to your organization. Let us know how we can help! Honor Flight South Dakota is inspired by the National Honor Flight Network and the recent successful flights organized in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. This project is managed by a volunteer board and is endorsed by veterans service organizations throughout the state. WWII veterans are given preference to be a guest on an honor flight, as are veterans from Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Veteran seats on the flights will be filled in the order that the applications are received. Honor Flight South Dakota Flight dates are pending fundraising efforts. For more infomration, email Larry Rohrer, Rick Tupper , or Terry Towns. Media organizations should reference this PRESS RELEASE. Honor Flight History The Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse of Springfield, Ohio, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, to honor veterans. In May of 2004, the WWII Memorial was finally completed and dedicated in Washington DC which quickly became the topic of discussion among his WWII Veteran patients. Earl repeatedly asked these veterans if they would ever travel out to visit THEIR memorial. Most felt that eventually, somehow, they would make it to DC perhaps with a family member or friend. Most of these senior heroes are in their 80s and lacked the physical and mental wherewithal to complete a trip on their own. Families and friends also lacked the resources and time to complete a 3-4 day trip to DC. Earl could tell that the majority of the veterans had given up all hope of ever visiting the memorial that was specifically created to honor their service. That's when he decided that there has to be a way to get these heroes to DC to see their memorial. Earl is also a private pilot and member of one of our nation's largest and best aero clubs located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. In December of 2004, Earl asked one of his WWII Veteran patients if he could personally fly him out to DC, free of charge, to visit his memorial. Mr. Loy broke down and cried. He said at his age he would probably never get to see his memorial. He accepted the offer. Honor Flight was born. Other dedicated volunteers joined, a board was formed, funds were raised and the first flight took to the air in May of 2005. Six small planes flew 12 very happy veterans out to Manassas Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. Vans then transported the pilots and veterans into DC and to the WWII Memorial. The responses from both the veterans and the pilots were overwhelming. It was an experience that will live with them for the rest of their lives. Other Honor Flight "Hubs" have been organized from around the country and it's time get planes in the air from South Dakota! Grateful Support from our Charter Sponsors
May 1-2, 2009 (tentative) Applications received: 231 WWII Veterans Events: Purchase an Honor Flight Button Honor Flight SD PO Box 947 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1-888-344-1945 Email Veterans Application Guardian Application F A Q Document