OUR MISSION
The mission of Honor Flight is to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country.
THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK
The Honor Flight Network is a national network comprised of independent Hubs working together in furtherance of the Honor Flight mission. In furtherance of this common goal, we have the opportunity to show our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, to remember friends and comrades lost, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. All honored veterans travel at no cost to the veteran.
The Honor Flight Network is currently serving veterans from the WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War eras. We also serve terminally ill veterans serving during any era. Please visit the website or contact your Regional Hub for information on applying as a veteran or guardian for an Honor Flight trip.
The Honor Flight Network is currently serving veterans from the WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War eras. We also serve terminally ill veterans serving during any era. Please visit the website or contact your Regional Hub for information on applying as a veteran or guardian for an Honor Flight trip.
THE HISTORY OF THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK
The Honor Flight Network was cofounded by Earl Morse, the son of a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, and Jeff Miller, a small business owner and son of a WWII veteran.
Earl Morse, Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, worked in a Department of Veteran Affairs clinic in Springfield, OH. After the National World War II Memorial was completed in 2004, he realized many of his WWII patients would not be able to travel to DC to visit their memorial. Morse, himself a pilot, offered to fly with two veterans to Washington. In January of 2005, he pitched the idea to about 300 private pilots at his local Air Force aeroclub. He proposed the pilots would pay for the flights and personally escort veterans around the city. Eleven additional pilots volunteered. By January 2005, a board was formed, funds were raised, and other volunteers had joined. On 21 May 2005, six small planes flew 12 veterans to Washington, DC for the first Honor Flight. A combination of small planes and commercial flights were used to transport a total of 126 WWII veterans that first year.
In late 2005, Jeff Miller, a dry-cleaning company owner in Hendersonville, NC, inspired by Morse, had a similar idea but on a larger scale – to charter entire commercial jets! Jeff, the son of a World War II veteran and nephew of a B-24 pilot who died in the war, had been a charter member of the National World War II Memorial Foundation. Miller was also concerned that local WWII veterans would never visit their new memorial. Miller formed HonorAir and began flying great numbers of WWII veterans from the Asheville Regional Airport using enormous chartered jets. By the end of 2006, HonorAir had flown more than 300 WWII veterans to their memorial. His actions revolutionized the mass movement of these senior heroes to Washington D.C.
In February of 2007, Morse and Miller met in Washington, DC at the first “Summit” and merged Honor Flight and HonorAir into what is now known as the Honor Flight Network. By 2017, there were 140 Honor Flight Network regional hubs across the United States. Now, HFN is escorting WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to see their memorials in DC. At the end of the 2017 flying season, the network has escorted over 200,000 veterans to their memorials, free of cost to the veterans.
In the Spring of 2008, Senator Bob Dole nominated both Earl Morse and Jeff Miller for the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal was awarded to Morse and Miller by President George W. Bush in the Oval Office in December of 2008.About Talons Out Honor Flight
Earl Morse, Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, worked in a Department of Veteran Affairs clinic in Springfield, OH. After the National World War II Memorial was completed in 2004, he realized many of his WWII patients would not be able to travel to DC to visit their memorial. Morse, himself a pilot, offered to fly with two veterans to Washington. In January of 2005, he pitched the idea to about 300 private pilots at his local Air Force aeroclub. He proposed the pilots would pay for the flights and personally escort veterans around the city. Eleven additional pilots volunteered. By January 2005, a board was formed, funds were raised, and other volunteers had joined. On 21 May 2005, six small planes flew 12 veterans to Washington, DC for the first Honor Flight. A combination of small planes and commercial flights were used to transport a total of 126 WWII veterans that first year.
In late 2005, Jeff Miller, a dry-cleaning company owner in Hendersonville, NC, inspired by Morse, had a similar idea but on a larger scale – to charter entire commercial jets! Jeff, the son of a World War II veteran and nephew of a B-24 pilot who died in the war, had been a charter member of the National World War II Memorial Foundation. Miller was also concerned that local WWII veterans would never visit their new memorial. Miller formed HonorAir and began flying great numbers of WWII veterans from the Asheville Regional Airport using enormous chartered jets. By the end of 2006, HonorAir had flown more than 300 WWII veterans to their memorial. His actions revolutionized the mass movement of these senior heroes to Washington D.C.
In February of 2007, Morse and Miller met in Washington, DC at the first “Summit” and merged Honor Flight and HonorAir into what is now known as the Honor Flight Network. By 2017, there were 140 Honor Flight Network regional hubs across the United States. Now, HFN is escorting WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to see their memorials in DC. At the end of the 2017 flying season, the network has escorted over 200,000 veterans to their memorials, free of cost to the veterans.
In the Spring of 2008, Senator Bob Dole nominated both Earl Morse and Jeff Miller for the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal was awarded to Morse and Miller by President George W. Bush in the Oval Office in December of 2008.About Talons Out Honor Flight
See Earl Morse’s video: This is Honor Flight
WATCH: Mission Accomplished: Talons Out Honor Flight from WGVU-PBS
Read what Veterans, spouses and Guardians say about Honor Flight: TESTIMONIALS
On Saturday, April 27, 2013, we announced the launch of the Talons Out Hub. On Saturday, October 26, 2013, Talons Out flew our first mission: 21 Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials and receive the honor they so richly deserve.
Since October of 2013 Talons has flown over 1085 veterans on One Last Mission to Washington D.C.. World War II and terminally ill veterans from other conflicts take priority status, Our heroes of the Forgotten War will be forgotten no more. We also announced on February 5, 2019 that we are now officially accepting Vietnam Era veteran applications.
We are an all-volunteer organization, operating strictly on the generous donations of our community. We can proudly say that over 96 cents of every dollar donated to Talons Out goes directly towards getting our veterans to Washington D.C. and honoring them in the best way possible.
For the most up-to-date figures on Talons Out Honor Flight, please email d[email protected]
Support, donations, and applications can be sent to:
Talons Out Honor Flight
PO Box 280
Portage, MI 49081
For further information, please contact us at (269) 273-4545
or via email at [email protected]
Read what Veterans, spouses and Guardians say about Honor Flight: TESTIMONIALS
On Saturday, April 27, 2013, we announced the launch of the Talons Out Hub. On Saturday, October 26, 2013, Talons Out flew our first mission: 21 Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials and receive the honor they so richly deserve.
Since October of 2013 Talons has flown over 1085 veterans on One Last Mission to Washington D.C.. World War II and terminally ill veterans from other conflicts take priority status, Our heroes of the Forgotten War will be forgotten no more. We also announced on February 5, 2019 that we are now officially accepting Vietnam Era veteran applications.
We are an all-volunteer organization, operating strictly on the generous donations of our community. We can proudly say that over 96 cents of every dollar donated to Talons Out goes directly towards getting our veterans to Washington D.C. and honoring them in the best way possible.
For the most up-to-date figures on Talons Out Honor Flight, please email d[email protected]
Support, donations, and applications can be sent to:
Talons Out Honor Flight
PO Box 280
Portage, MI 49081
For further information, please contact us at (269) 273-4545
or via email at [email protected]