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Honor Flight Network

November 9, 2023 by Kimberly Snyder 6 Comments

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memorial plac in Washington DC

What is ​The Honor Flight Network?

The Honor Flight Network is a national network comprised of independent units working together to help achieve the Network’s overall mission.  This mission is to transport America’s  WWII,  Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to Washington, D.C. in order for the veterans to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country.  The group will also transport any terminally ill veteran who served in any of the conflicts since the Vietnam War.
 
Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this wonderful experience with other comrades, to remember friends and comrades lost, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans.  The Honor Flight program is a way to show our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor that they deserve.
 
All honored veterans travel at no cost to the veteran.  Each veteran travels with an escort, often times a family member, who has paid their own expenses in order to assist the veteran throughout the day.
 

The Honor Flight Experience

In order to participate in the Honor Flight experience, the veteran has to fill out an application with a local Honor Flight Organization.  During the summer of 2011, my Mother and I were made aware of a trip being planned for October 2011 by the Central Illinois Honor Flight organization.  The group refers to the flights as missions.

The mission planned for October 18, 2011 was the first mission to be flown out of our local airport in Savoy , Illinois.  The group had flown many missions out of other Central Illinois airports but this was the first one from the Champaign area.

The Central Illinois Honor Flight organization teamed up with a local radio station as well as various other corporate sponsors to make the trip possible.

Central Illinois Honor flight banner

 

Robert W Jones Navy picture

My Dad, Robert Jones , was a proud WW2 veteran.  He served in the Navy and was stationed in the Pacific after he finished his basic training.  This service qualified him to participate in the mission.  I was able to accompany him as his escort.

The Mission

We left home at 4 in the morning.  When we got to the airport, the entrance to the airport hanger was lined with American Flags!  We flew on a charter airplane to Washington DC.

Robert Jones arriving at the airport

The veterans were greeted at the Washington DC airport by a band and crowds of people wanting to thank them for their service.  Everywhere we went that day, strangers came up to the various veterans to thank them and shake their hands.

The veterans and their escorts spent the day touring the various memorials in Washington DC.   We were able to go to the WW2 memorial as well as Arlington Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  We visited the memorials to each of the branches of service.

CIHF 10/18/11 mission at the WW2 memorial

WW2 memorial

Robert Jones WW2 memorial

Arlington Cemetary

Kimberly Snyder and her father at the Air force memorial

A photographer traveled with us and made sure that each veteran had an individual picture taken at the memorial that represented his or her branch of service.  My Dad did not normally use a wheel chair but he decided he wanted to use one that day.  It would have been difficult for him to walk as far as we had to walk during the trip.

 

We boarded the airplane for the flight back to Willard Airport in the early evening.  Each of the veterans received an envelope of mail that included letters and notes from various school children as well as friends and families of the veterans.

Mail Call 10/18/11

When we landed at the airport, the airplane carrying us was given a water salute by the local Fire Department. There was a large crowd waiting to greet the veterans upon their return from their mission.

Kimberly Snyder & her dad Robert Jones after the CIHF mission 10/18/11

It was an amazing trip.  I am so glad that I was able to accompany my Dad on this mission.

Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 all mission have been put  on hold since the Spring of 2020.

updated 10/18/2021

The Honor Flight program has resumed operating their missions as of August 18, 2021.   More information can be found here:  https://www.honorflight.org

 

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Filed Under: Blog Post Tagged With: Family

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Comments

  1. Dave says

    October 24, 2020 at 10:17 am

    I was so Blessed to see the response when the Honor Flight returned to Champaign! It was Americans honoring Americans! It still brings tears to my eyes! We need to get back to feeling proud of America!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Harvest Thyme - From Farmhouse to Florida says:
    November 7, 2020 at 10:00 am

    […] One of my Dad’s caretaker’s took this picture of him standing next to the field behind his house.  He was able to stay in his home until 36 hours before he passed away.  He lived on the same property for 68 years.  More about my Dad can be found here: […]

    Reply
  2. Celebrate With Red, White & Blue - From Farmhouse to Florida says:
    January 17, 2021 at 9:52 am

    […] years ago, I was blessed to be able to accompany my Dad on an Honor Flight trip to our nation’s capital. The picture above is of the fountain at the World War 2 Memorial .  […]

    Reply
  3. Happy Father's Day! - From Farmhouse to Florida says:
    July 21, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    […] Another great memory was our trip on the Honor Flight. I was able to escort my Dad on a day long trip to Washington DC where he and other WW2 Veterans were treated to a very special day.  You can read more about it here: […]

    Reply
  4. 10 Years Ago Tomorrow October 18, 2011 - From Farmhouse to Florida says:
    October 17, 2021 at 11:50 am

    […] Central Illinois Honor Flight […]

    Reply
  5. Harvest Thyme! - From Farmhouse to Florida says:
    December 2, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    […] One of my Dad’s caregiver’s took this picture of him standing next to the field behind his house.  He was able to stay in his home until 36 hours before he passed away.  He lived on the same property for 68 years.  More about my Dad can be found here: […]

    Reply

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Hello! Kimberly (Kim) Snyder and I'm glad you're here. An entrepreneurial spirit, I've owned a flower shop and antiques store, a pizza parlor and now we're in Florida living a new adventure. Join me as we downsize into our new digs and continue the adventures! WRITER & BLOGGER

Kimberly Snyder shares the adventures of moving to Florida and beginning again in a new space as a herbalist, a creative, and a serial entrepreneur

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Not sure if I ever shared this version of the pott Not sure if I ever shared this version of the potting bench. I started decorating it with a lavender theme. I must have gotten distracted before I finished it! It just needs a few potted lavender plants ti finish it! #lavender #farmhousedecorating #gardenstyle #fromfarmhousetoflorida #pottingbench
Simple Summer sugar mold idea! I made the flower o Simple Summer sugar mold idea! I made the flower out of the trim from an old pillowcase.  #sugarmoldcenterpiece #sugarmolddecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida #farmhousedecor #fauxhydrangeas #gardenstyledecor #cottagedecor #kimstyledecor
Mother’s Day week is here! If you have been foll Mother’s Day week is here! If you have been following me for a while, you know I can’t resist filling a dough bowl (or2) with blooming plants! I designed this one with a combination of vintage garden tools, an old book and a selection of plants.  It would make the perfect gift fire that special Mom in your life! #mothersdaygifts #mothersday #mothersdaygiftideas #gardenstyle #farmhousedoughbowl #doughbowl #kimstyledecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida
I don’t talk about my faith a lot. I do believe I don’t talk about my faith a lot.  I do believe God puts certain people in your path for a reason.  An example of this occurred on Tuesday.  It was colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy day.  I was really nervous about how it would all work since it was my first time since I had my cancer surgery. 

 The nurse that was taking care of me in the pre op area turned out to be the same nurse who had prayed for me last year. My husband was in the parking lot of the medical center speaking with his friend who happened to work at the center with this particular nurse. I was very sick at the time and they prayed for my healing.  It was great to be able to thank her in person and let her see that the prayers had been answered. ❤️

Then the anesthesiologist came in and told me about his cousin who had also been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer about a year ago. He mentioned some of the treatments his cousin had had and how important a positive attitude is.  I was touched that he took the time to tell me about his cousin’s experience. 

 We had arranged in advance to have my husband’s friend as the nurse anesthesist.  He was able to pray with us as well as reassure us about the procedure.

The procedure went well. The three polyps that the surgeon removed were sent to pathology.  The report is already back and there no evidence of cancer.  Prayers were answered again❤️

#coloncancersurvivor #coloncancer  #coloncancersucks  #colonoscopy #sigmoidoscopy  #fromfarmhousetoflorida
Celebrating my “roots” for Earth Day and beyon Celebrating my “roots” for Earth Day and beyond! The tractor was painted a few years ago by a dear family friend @annrund  The two white wooden hearts were purchased at one of my favorite shops in Illinois @thefeatherednest1  #fromfarmhousetoflorida #farmhousedecorating #gardenstyledecor #gardenstyle #kimstyledecor
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Two different ways to display this Easter bunny: r Two different ways to display this Easter bunny: rustic wooden box or an oval dough bowl! Which do you like better? #eastervignette #fromfarmhousetoflorida #easterdisplay #cottagedecor #kimstyledecor
Need a quick dough bowl decor idea? Simply tie mus Need a quick dough bowl decor idea? Simply tie muslin ribbon around a bouquet of silk tulips! I used white but any color would work! #doughbowls #farmhousedoughbowl #farmhousedecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida #cottagedecor #kimstyledecor
In honor of National Pet Day, sharing the first ti In honor of National Pet Day, sharing the first time I met Mowgli! He jumped right up into my arms proving he was #destinedtofly  I just happened to be wearing a #antomiestyle tank!  With Capri jeans, it makes an #everydayanatomie look!

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