Honor Flight Long Island to take 58 veterans to Washington

Fifty-eight Long Island veterans will travel to Washington D.C. early in the morning on Saturday, September 26, where they will visit their military memorials, meet with service branch reps, commiserate with other veterans and exchange stories courtesy of Honor Flight Long Island (HFLI).

“Our fall flight includes 55 Vietnam War veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service — they’ll be accompanied on this flight by three elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War,” said Bill Jones, president of Honor Flight Long Island.” What this flight truly represents is a ‘big hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters.” 

Veterans will return to Islip MacArthur Airport late that evening for a welcome by the Saffron United Pipe Band as well as hundreds of supporters expected to attend.

Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve our freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips so they can visit their D.C. memorials.

A major donation from Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) enabled HFLI to charter an entire airplane for the first time, resulting in a free trip for guardians and veterans. This donation was from John and Anita LaSpina, owners of Maple Family Centers, a chain of bowling centers in New York and Florida.

“Honor Flight is grateful to the LaSpina family and BVL, in helping us to fulfill our mission of honoring Long Island’s veterans,” Jones added. Jones was a U.S. Army captain and 1972 West Point graduate.