The Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee is currently accepting signups for its spring 2016 flight and interested Clay County veterans are eligible for this trip and should apply as soon as possible. The trip is cost free to veterans and WW ll veterans get priority with veterans of the Korean War next in line and otherwise on a first come, first served basis.
Interested Clay County veterans should contact Rich Buford at 360-393-1147 or [email protected] or click to download Honor Flight Application.
The recent fall flight had veterans from the Army, Army Air Corps, Marines and the Air Force. One of the veterans had served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The oldest veteran on the trip was 96. Most were residents of Tennessee although at least one veteran was from Alabama.
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders greeted the veterans at the Nashville Airport with an American flag arch when they arrived around 5 a.m. and when they returned at 9:30 p.m.
The group flew out of Nashville, TN. on Southwest Airlines, the official airline of Honor Flight, to Reagan National airport and back from Baltimore Washington airport the same day.
During the fall day in Washington D.C. the veterans got to spend time at the World War II Memorial, Korean Conflict Memorial and The Vietnam War Memorial. They drove by the Air Force Memorial, the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial and the Pentagon.
President and Chairman of the Board Claude Morse of Manchester said he is very thankful for all businesses, civic organizations and individuals who have generously donated the funds necessary for each flight. Fundraising is underway for the spring 2016 flight right now as the group will have to spend $13,000-$14,000 in advanced payment for airfare and buses to reserve the spring date by January. Tax deductible donations can be sent to Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee at P O Box 1926, Tullahoma, TN 37388-1926.
Persons interested in serving as a guardian on the spring 2016 flight should contact Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Board Lana Bradford at (931) 434-5664.
More information can be found on the groups Facebook page – Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee.
The Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee was originally formed as the Southern Middle Tennessee Honor Flight in 2008 with Milton Schafer of Winchester as its chairman. The name was changed in 2013 to reflect the area of the state it covered and it was granted 501c3 status in 2014. It is a state of Tennessee non-profit corporation. Since 2009 the group has made two flights per year for approximately 50 veterans and their guardians on each flight.
Veterans pay nothing for the trip, all airfare, meals and incidentals are covered by donations. Each veteran gets a distinctive ball cap and polo shirt. For this flight Harton Hospital donated backpacks for each participant. Guardians pay their own way.
Honor Flight Veteran Application