Southwest Florida Honor Flight Mission XXIV welcome home
PUNTA GORDA, FL – Southwest Florida Honor Flight will proudly conduct Mission XXIV on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, honoring local veterans with a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. The chartered flight will depart and return the same day from Punta Gorda Airport.
Mission XXIV will carry veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, accompanied by trained volunteer guardians who ensure their safety, comfort and care throughout the day. During the trip, veterans will visit the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Military Women’s Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The day will begin with a patriotic send-off in the early morning hours as the veterans depart Southwest Florida. That evening, the community is invited to take part in a powerful Welcome Home Celebration as the heroes return from Washington, D.C. The chartered Allegiant aircraft is expected to arrive at approximately 8:50 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to arrive early, as entertainment and festivities will begin at 8 p.m. in anticipation of the veterans’ arrival. Carpooling is encouraged, and attendees are invited to wear red, white and blue to show their patriotic support. WELCOME HOME signs, posters, flags and applause are encouraged to give these veterans the heartfelt homecoming they deserve.
“This mission is about gratitude, remembrance and honoring service,” said a representative of Southwest Florida Honor Flight. “For many of these veterans, this is their first opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their sacrifices. The Welcome Home celebration is a powerful reminder that their service will never be forgotten.”
Since its founding in 2007, the Southwest Florida Honor Flight hub has flown more than 2,300 veterans to their memorials in Washington, D.C. With no corporate sponsors, each mission-costing approximately $118,000 per flight-is funded entirely through local, grassroots support, including community donations and contributions from individuals and families. The hub continually accepts veteran and guardian applications for future missions, pairing each veteran with a volunteer guardian who provides care and companionship throughout the day. Guardians pay a nominal fee for the privilege of serving a veteran on their day of honor.
Southwest Florida Honor Flight serves veterans in 7 counties: Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota. Veterans who are snow-birds or live out of state are eligible to apply to be honored. Priority is given to WWII, Korean and veterans with a life-limiting illness, for each flight. The “hub” holds monthly informational meetings in person and via zoom. The hub operates entirely on volunteers, many of whom served themselves or have a family member who has served our nation.
For more information about upcoming missions, veteran and guardian applications, or how to financially support future flights, visit www.swflhonorflight.org.
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For media contact: Naomi Horton Copeland, President, 941-769-0062, swflhonorflight@gmail.com
