Southwest Florida Honor Flight will mark a historic milestone on Tuesday, Oct. 14, when Mission XXIII departs Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport for the first time. Ninety veterans will take part in the one-day journey to Washington, D.C., to visit the national memorials built in their honor.
The flight includes veterans spanning multiple generations of service: one from World War II, nine from the Korean War, and dozens from the Vietnam War, Cold War and other eras. Sixteen of the participants are women, reflecting the growing recognition of female veterans. The group also includes four brothers who served before, during and after Vietnam, as well as a family trio of father, daughter and grandson. A husband, wife and son, along with their service dog, will also make the trip, representing service from Vietnam through Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The day begins with a 4 a.m. check-in at SRQ before the charter flight to Washington, where a full itinerary awaits. Veterans will tour the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, where they will witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Ceremonial tributes are scheduled throughout the day, including a flag-folding ceremony at several sites, a live bugler salute at the World War II Memorial, and the presentation of Ambassador of Peace medals to Korean War veterans. Female participants will be honored with service record presentations at the Military Women’s Memorial.
The Honor Flight program offers the trip at no cost to veterans as a gesture of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Each veteran is paired with a guardian who assists throughout the day. Organizers stress that months of planning go into creating a seamless experience, with volunteer teams coordinating every detail.
The public is invited to take part in the evening “Welcome Home” celebration at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to line the terminal hallways with patriotic spirit. Organizers recommend carpooling due to limited parking and suggest wearing red, white or blue and bringing homemade signs, flags and plenty of cheers.
Honor Flight leaders hope for a turnout similar to their spring flights from Punta Gorda, which often draw hundreds of well-wishers. Community groups, including scout troops, schools, churches and neighborhood associations, are encouraged to participate in making the homecoming unforgettable.
Southwest Florida Honor Flight continues to accept applications from veterans and guardians for future missions. Priority is given to World War II and Korean War veterans, as well as those who are terminally ill. The current waitlist is approximately three flights. Applications and information are available at www.swflhonorflight.org.
Mission XXIII will be the 26th Honor Flight led by Southwest Florida Honor Flight President Naomi Horton Copeland, who began volunteering after accompanying her father-in-law, a World War II veteran, on a flight in 2010.
