Dear Veteran - We exist solely to honor and thank YOU. The information contained below will tell you about our Honor Flights to Washington and will guide you through your application process. We think you'll find everything you need right here to learn about our days of honor and to answer any questions you might have.
Q: Who can go on an Honor Flight Chicago trip?
Q: How much does it cost? Who pays for the trip?
Q: What can I do to help?
Q: What if I require a wheelchair or oxygen?
Q: Who is in charge of the program?
- VETERANS are placed on the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis according to the following priorities: World War II veterans and terminally ill veterans of any conflict, followed by Korean War and then Vietnam veterans. As our waiting list is currently almost 1,000 qualified veterans, we are unable to accommodate spouses unless they are eligible veterans themselves.
- GUARDIANS are selected by Flight Leadership based on a number of factors. Generally there is one guardian for every three veterans, depending on the needs of the veterans on that particular flight. Guardians must be at least 18 and no more than 65 years of age and be able to easily lift 100 pounds, as many times they will be assisting veterans in to or out of wheelchairs, up and down stairs, etc. First priority is given to medically trained volunteers, active duty military personnel and guardians who have previously flown and serve as leadership members. Family members of veterans are eligible to apply, but we cannot guarantee they will travel with their veteran relative. Guardians do pay for their trip and must attend a mandatory training session.
Q: How much does it cost? Who pays for the trip?
- Our veterans have already sacrificed and given so much through their service to our country, therefore we feel they should not have to pay for the trip. All expenses for the trip are covered, with the exception of any souvenirs the veteran may wish to purchase.
- Flights are funded by donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other groups who wish to be an important part of honoring these heroes and recognize the need to get our veterans to see their memorial before it is too late. Financial assistance is also received from fraternal organizations such as local Amvets and posts and chapters. No funding is received from the Government.
Q: What can I do to help?
- DONATIONS are gratefully accepted from all non-veterans and more information is available on the Donations page on the Honor Flight Chicago website. There are also various events held around the Chicago area throughout the year to help raise the necessary funds. These are highlighted on our website and generally in local media as well.
- VOLUNTEERS are also needed. It takes many dedicated volunteers to make these trips happen. Our volunteers have many abilities and perform many varied tasks all of which are very much appreciated. Click on the Guardian/Volunteer button on the Get Involved page for an application.
- LETTERS – Click on the Thank A Vet button on the Get Involved page for information on how you can send a thank you letter to a deserving veteran. These letters are very much appreciated by our veterans.
Q: What if I require a wheelchair or oxygen?
- WHEELCHAIRS - A number of our veterans require wheelchairs, and our deluxe motor coaches are ordered based on how many require a wheelchair lift. If a wheelchair is required for a veteran sometime during the flight it can usually be provided. If the vet has their own wheelchair, they may bring it. If further information is needed, contact our office at 773-227-VETS.
- OXYGEN – If a veteran requires oxygen, their health care provider must supply a prescription for it which identifies the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (liters per minute). Honor Flight Chicago will provide an FAA approved oxygen concentrator for use on the plane as FAA regulations do not allow oxygen cylinders on board. Oxygen cylinders to be used while in Washington will be provided. However, veterans are responsible for providing oxygen for use from home to Midway Airport in the morning and to home from Midway Airport at night. If a veteran will require oxygen during the trip, please call us at 773-227-VETS to discuss arrangements.
Q: Who is in charge of the program?
- Honor Flight Chicago is part of the Honor Flight Network whose governing board establishes general protocols, policies and credentialing, maintains a national website and oversees several programs. Honor Flight Chicago has an independent board composed of more than a dozen Chicago-area individuals, many of them business-owners, all dedicated to the success of the mission to bring our WWII veterans to Washington for a day of honor.
About Your Day in DC
Your day with Honor Flight Chicago will be a long and emotional yet exhilarating one. To prepare yourself be sure to get lots of rest and plenty of nourishment, especially fluids, during the days leading up to your flight.
Flight day itineraries vary, but here is an idea of a “typical” flight day:
You’ll arrive at Midway Airport for check in at approximately 4:30am. This early arrival allows time for checking in, meeting up with your guardian for the day, processing through TSA security and enjoying a light breakfast at the gate before boarding the flight to Washington D.C. At the airport we will climb aboard our deluxe motor coaches and head toward our first stop.
The highlight of every trip is a visit to the World War II Memorial where you will have ample time to marvel at the beauty and symbolism, explore the site and simply sit and remember those who were left behind. There are endless opportunities to take pictures to remind you of the visit to your memorial.
There are a number of locations around the Washington area we would like to visit, but we must limit the number we can go to. These vary from trip to trip, but may include some of the following: Air and Space Museum at Chantilly, VA (where the Enola Gay and other WWII aircraft can be seen), Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Lincoln Memorial, or the Korean and Vietnam Memorials. After visiting the memorials, we will head to the airport for our flight home.
Note: Our pre-flight screening is designed to help us assess your individual needs so that we may make sure your day with Honor Flight is happy, safe and memorable for all the right reasons. When you fill out your application, please provide us with the most complete information you can so that we may directly respond to your personal comfort and safety. We can provide wheelchairs and oxygen for those veterans in need. In addition to meals, we will have water and snacks available throughout the day.
Your day with Honor Flight Chicago will be a long and emotional yet exhilarating one. To prepare yourself be sure to get lots of rest and plenty of nourishment, especially fluids, during the days leading up to your flight.
Flight day itineraries vary, but here is an idea of a “typical” flight day:
You’ll arrive at Midway Airport for check in at approximately 4:30am. This early arrival allows time for checking in, meeting up with your guardian for the day, processing through TSA security and enjoying a light breakfast at the gate before boarding the flight to Washington D.C. At the airport we will climb aboard our deluxe motor coaches and head toward our first stop.
The highlight of every trip is a visit to the World War II Memorial where you will have ample time to marvel at the beauty and symbolism, explore the site and simply sit and remember those who were left behind. There are endless opportunities to take pictures to remind you of the visit to your memorial.
There are a number of locations around the Washington area we would like to visit, but we must limit the number we can go to. These vary from trip to trip, but may include some of the following: Air and Space Museum at Chantilly, VA (where the Enola Gay and other WWII aircraft can be seen), Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Lincoln Memorial, or the Korean and Vietnam Memorials. After visiting the memorials, we will head to the airport for our flight home.
Note: Our pre-flight screening is designed to help us assess your individual needs so that we may make sure your day with Honor Flight is happy, safe and memorable for all the right reasons. When you fill out your application, please provide us with the most complete information you can so that we may directly respond to your personal comfort and safety. We can provide wheelchairs and oxygen for those veterans in need. In addition to meals, we will have water and snacks available throughout the day.
2010 Flight Schedule:
April 21, 2010
May 12, 2010
May 25, 2010
June 23, 2010
July 14, 2010
August 4, 2010
Other dates will be added as they are confirmed.
Our flights are filled from our Veteran Waiting List
(APPLY NOW to get on the Waiting List)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
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Honor Flight Chicago has been recognized by the State of Illinois as a Homefront Hero for its patriotism, community spirit and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to support our brave troops and their families. Former Lt. Governor Pat Quinn presented the award September 7, 2008.
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