WELCOME

Mission

It is the mission of Honor Flight Cleveland  to pay tribute to U.S. veterans
who served our country
by providing them a safe and memorable all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
to visit the memorials honoring their service.  

About Honor Flight Cleveland

Nearly 60 years after the end of World War II, President Bush dedicated the World War II Memorial to honor "The Greatest Generation."  At the time, every veteran who fought in World War II was already a senior citizen.  Regrettably, very few of these elderly veterans have the strength, funds, health or knowledge to complete a conventional trip to Washington, D.C. via commercial airline, car or bus.  That's where Honor Flight Cleveland comes in.

In May 2007, the inaugural flight of Honor Flight Cleveland flew from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Twenty-five U.S. World War II veterans, at no cost to them, participated in that venture.  The cost of that trip, and all subsequent trips, have been covered entirely by private donations. 

Since then, every third Wednesday from May through October or November, veterans have boarded planes for their all-expense paid trip of a lifetime. While on these trips, stories have been shared, tears have been shed, new relationships have been forged, and lasting memories have been made.  Veterans’ lives have been forever enriched by complete strangers who approach them throughout the excursion to express gratitude for the many freedoms we enjoy because of their sacrifices.

From 2007 to 2012, more than 2,300 U.S. veterans, the majority from World War II, have benefited from an Honor Flight Cleveland adventure.  The extraordinary feat of providing this service has been accomplished solely by volunteers, donating more than 53,000 hours to this important cause.

Some of the highlights of the Honor Flight Cleveland experience include:  the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Viet Nam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, the Air Force Memorial, the Marine Memorial-Iwo Jima, and Arlington National Cemetery, including witnessing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb.

Nine to ten flights are scheduled annually. Priority is given to World War II veterans; however, terminally ill U.S. veterans who served at any time are also given preferential treatment and assigned to a flight as soon as a seat is available (click on Special Programs on this site for details of the TLC program). Korean War veterans fill any open seats.

Diversity Statement

It is Honor Flight Cleveland's purpose to honor those who served our country
by providing them with a trip to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C.
with their fellow veterans
regardless of age, income, race, gender, culture, disability or any other attribute.

Honor Flight Cleveland is not affiliated with HonorFlights.com or HonorFlight.com,
which charge veterans a fee for to participate.
Honor Flight Cleveland never charges a vet!