Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Thomas Hand today announced that Honor Flight Long Island is currently accepting World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran applications for a free flight with peers to Washington, D.C. to tour of military memorials.

“Created to honor war veterans and thank them for their sacrifices, Honor Flights fly military veterans to our nation’s capital for a VIP tour which often includes the World War II Memorial, the Korean and Vietnam War memorials, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial,” said Supervisor Saladino.  “Honor Flight is an exceptional organization that provides and amazing service to our veterans, as these trips allow us to honor America’s veterans for their service and sacrifice, and for all they did to help preserve our freedom and democracy.”

Long Island Honor Flight, a nonprofit group, is part of the national Honor Flight network and organizes, hosts, and pays for the trips, which depart from Long Island MacArthur airport.  Flights are scheduled in the spring and the fall, and as part of the day’s itinerary, veterans and ‘guardians’ (volunteers who help make these trips possible) fly in to Baltimore Washington International Airport, where a waiting motor coach takes them on the 50-minute drive to Washington DC and the WWII and Korean Memorials, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, and visits to the Navy Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, or other area high-points.

“This mission flies our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect together at our national memorials,” said Councilman Hand.  “If you or any eligible veteran you know has interest in participating in an Honor Flight, I urge you to take on this wonderful and charitable opportunity.”

Each trip includes about 50 veterans, who are taken for free. They are accompanied by about 50 volunteers, who each pay $400. The volunteers assist those in wheelchairs or who use walkers and provide whatever help is needed along the way. Honor Flight trips are provided for veterans who have not already visited the memorials in Washington D.C.

For more information regarding Long Island Honor Flights, apply for a spot on an upcoming flight, or to make a contribution or volunteer, visit www.honorflightlongisland.org or call Virginia Bennett at (631) 702-2423.