American Airpower Museum Hosts Honor Flight Reunion of WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans
The American Airpower Museum will host an Honor Flight Long Island Reunion on December 3rd, to celebrate one WWII, 22 Korean and 27 Vietnam War veterans who took an early-morning flight to Washington, D.C. on September 23, 2022. The veterans visited their military memorials, commiserated with fellow veterans and exchanged stories. Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the Armed Forces of the United States by providing free, one-day D.C. trips for veterans.
Thanks to HFLI, these veterans took a free, early-morning Southwest flight to Washington, D.C. Departing from Islip MacArthur Airport at 8:20 a.m., veterans visited the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, plus Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard. They returned to Islip later that evening at 10:50 p.m. for a rousing welcome by the Saffron United Bagpipe Band plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!
On December 3rd the museum opens at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. Admission for the veterans, their guardians and families, is free. The public is also invited to attend free of charge if they arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. After 12:00 p.m., regular museum admission for adults is $15, seniors and veterans is $12, kids ages 5-12 is $10.
Come and cheer these veterans during our “Ceremony of Honors,” as they receive personalized Tribute Journals full of photos taken during their Washington, D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a patrioticmedley known as the “Armed Forces Salute,” featuring five official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Free refreshments will be provided by HFLI. Come honor Long Island’s home-grown heroes!
HFLI is accepting applications from veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long Island veterans are encouraged to sign up by going to the website, www.honorflightlongisland.org. It’s important to submit an application, as that will insure placement on their list. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. They are accompanied by guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax deductible) to offset their travel costs. If there is no family member to act as a guardian, HFLI has volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting our heroes to their memorials. Questions? Call Jamie Bowden at (631) 702-2423 or by email at JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.
