Honor Flight of the Quad Cities announced that its Tuesday, Oct. 28, flight will depart as planned with 86 veterans and their guardians despite the government shutdown.
In a news release Friday, Oct. 17, HFQC Hub Director Steve Garrington announced that the charter jet flight and one-day visit of the nation’s capital is “still a go.” This marks its final flight for 2025.
The nonprofit indicated that many hours have been spent planning alternate itineraries, and making preparations in case the shutdown continues into Oct. 28. The alternate plans are necessary as the shutdown is impacting various federal operations including national parks and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which provides security for passengers at airports.
“Many places we visit are still open,” said Mr. Garrington, who also will command the upcoming flight. “And if something is closed, there are still plenty of other places the veterans will want to see. In the military they taught us to be flexible.”
The tour of Washington, D.C., military memorials will include visits to Arlington National Cemetery, where Honor Flight participants will see the famous “Changing of the Guard” ceremony.
This marks the 64th flight for the nonprofit since its inception in 2008 and its inaugural Honor Flight on Nov. 1 of that year. A chapter of Honor Flight Network, the Quad Cities group has flown thousands of veterans from across the bistate region to Washington to see the memorials dedicated to honoring their sacrifices.
According to a news release, most of the veterans on Flight 64 served during the Vietnam conflict, but the passenger list also includes four Korean War veterans and three women veterans who proudly served. A special honor awaits them at the Women’s Memorial.
Join the Welcome Home
As is tradition, the Quad Cities International Airport in Moline will host a Welcome Home event at 10 p.m. Oct. 28, when the veterans return. The event, which often draws hundreds of people, gives the public a chance to welcome back and cheer on the veterans.
The public is encouraged to join the festivities to honor the men and women who bravely served their country.
As a special thanks to the veterans, their families, neighbors, and friends, the airport will provide free parking that night for anyone participating in the Welcome Home.
Meanwhile, the Honor Flight board has plans underway for three tentative flights next year: May 6, June 1, and Sept. 22, Mr. Garrington told the QCBJ.
According to the chapter, its greatest need is for veterans to fill out an application to participate. Many veterans, the release said, will need to be encouraged to apply and participate. Applications are available at www.honorflightqc.org. All Veterans within a 75 mile radius of the Quad Cities are encouraged to apply.
The Quad Cities chapter gives top priority to veterans of World War and the Korean War era, or any veterans with a terminal illness. Veterans fly for free thanks to the donations from organizations and individuals that support each flight and the Honor Flight program. Volunteers are responsible for planning and coordinating the flight events.
The chapter also is in need of volunteers to become guardians, who are trained to help escort the veterans on flight days on the day-long trip. More details are available at www.honorflightqc.org under “Application Forms.” Instructions are provided for submitting applications.
