Land of Lincoln Honor Flight 'welcome home' party Tuesday

[April 20, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Donations and efforts of many individuals, organizations and businesses have allowed Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to honor 24 more World War II veterans and 66 more Korean veterans with a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to see the World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, National Air and Space Museum, and other memorials. Seventy guardians who are responsible for the veterans' comfort and safety will accompany them on this 20th Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. It is the second flight this year.

The public is invited to a "welcome home" ceremony for these WWII and Korean-era veterans when the plane arrives back at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Wear red, white and blue to show your appreciation.

Veterans on this flight come from the Illinois towns of Athens, Atlanta, Benson, Brighton, Canton, Carlinville, Carrollton, Chesterfield, Chestnut, Cottage Hills, Decatur, Delavan, East Peoria, Edwardsville, Fillmore, Girard, Godfrey, Hardin, Hartford, Hillsboro, Illiopolis, Jerseyville, LeRoy, Lexington, Lincoln, Litchfield, Loami, Mason City, Metamora, Morton, Mount Pulaski, Mount Sterling, Pekin, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Petersburg, Roanoke, Springfield, Stonington, Taylorville, Tremont, West Peoria and Dyer, Ind.

Applications for future flights are still being accepted from the following, but WWII veterans will be served first:

• Veterans who enlisted by Dec. 31, 1946 (WWII -- 92 currently on the list)

• Veterans who served Jan. 1, 1947, through Dec. 31, 1957 (Korean era -- 340 currently on the list)

• Veterans who served Jan. 1, 1958, through May 7, 1975 (148 currently on the list)

Flights are already full for May 21 and June 18. If funds are available, there will be additional flights in September and October.

The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight board welcomes the chance to speak to organizations, businesses, churches, conventions or others groups about the Honor Flight mission, future flights, guardian duties, fundraising and donations.

To learn more about Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, how individuals and groups can help the mission, how to become a member, and how to obtain applications, visit www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org or contact Ray Wiedle: home, 314-427-2317; cell, 217-622-1473; or [e-mail].