Honor Flight adds trips for Korean War veterans
Founded in 2008 as a way to honor aging World War II veterans with free trips to Washington, D.C., to see the monuments and thank them for their service, Honor Flight Chicago is expanding that effort to honor Korean War veterans.
"This in no way diminishes our commitment to identifying and serving any World War II veteran who has not yet received his or her special day of honor," said Mary Pettinato, CEO and co-founder of Honor Flight Chicago. "But as our Korean War veterans reach their mid-80s, it is time to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of these heroes alongside their World War II brethren."
Started by Pettinato, Jeanmarie Kapp of Barrington, Kapp's mother, Nancy Kapp, and Suzanne Stanits of Park Ridge, the not-for-profit charity has flown 5,931 World War II veterans to our nation's capital. Funded by donations from businesses, veteran groups and individuals, Honor Flight Chicago uses hundreds of volunteers to honor the veterans.
There are an estimated 35,000 Korean War veterans living in the Chicago area, according to the National Department of Veterans Affairs. The local Honor Flight chapter, the nation's largest, already has 1,200 applications on file. The charity's 2016 flight schedule includes flights to Washington, D.C., on April 13; May 11; June 8; July 13; Aug. 10; Sep. 7, and Oct. 5.
Each honor flight begins with an early morning departure from Midway Airport in preparation for a full day of recognition and reminiscing in our nation's capital. The day concludes at Midway with a welcome home celebration.
For additional information, call (773) 227-8387 or visit honorflightchicago.org.