Our newsletter is for HFC veterans and their families, guardians, volunteers, donors, and our many other supporters. We have over 13,000 newsletter subscribers. If you wish to be added or removed from our newsletter list, please let us know by sending an email to info@honorflightcmh.org.
2023 Flight Plans & Sponsors
At the time of this newsletter, we have 290 veterans on our waiting list. Our Spring flights have been booked and thanks to our amazing Veteran Call Team members, we have 354 Veterans registered for the Spring flights.
Spring Flights:
Mission 120: April 13, 2023 - Sponsor: Vance Outdoors
Mission 121: May 4, 2023 - Sponsor: Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Mission 122: May 25, 2023 - Sponsor: All Life Foundation
Mission 123: June 15, 2023 - Sponsor: Dublin Community Honor Flight
Fall Flights:
Mission 124: September 7, 2023 - Sponsor: Vance Outdoors
Mission 125: September 28, 2023 - Sponsor: TBA
Mission 126: October 19, 2023 - Sponsor: Ragan/McNamara Families
Mission 127: November 2, 2023 - Battelle
Mission 128: November 9, 2023 - Nationwide
We are thankful for our 2023 sponsors and their commitment to the mission of Honor Flight Columbus. There are several fundraising events coming up for our sponsors:
**Vance Outdoors "Fill The Plane" Campaign starts on April 1 and runs through August 12, 2023, which is the date of the annual Obetz Car Show. For all of the details on the fundraising campaign, check out their website HERE.
**The annual John Glenn International Runway 5K Run & Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2023. Registration starts on April 3. The Columbus Regional Airport Authority sponsors a flight each year from the proceeds of this race. To register (after April 3), check out their website HERE.
**The annual Washington Township Flower Sale will be held on Mother's Day Weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). More information will be on our website and social media accounts in April. The Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin City Schools, and the Nick Rozanski Memorial Foundation are all a part of the Dublin Community Honor Flight.
We recently changed our Veteran eligibility for our missions. The eligibility was any Veteran who served active duty up through May 7, 1975. Currently, we are accepting applications from any Veteran age 65 and over who served at least one day of active duty (outside of any basic training active duty).
As always, World War II, Korean War, and qualified Veterans with a terminal illness will be moved to the front of the line of the earliest flight for which they are ready, willing and able. Veteran applications, details regarding Veteran eligibility, and flight information are available on our website and/or by emailing veterans@honorflightcmh.org.
On December 14, 2022, at our Board & Staff Dinner, we celebrated three board members who are stepping off the HFC Board. Cindy Kanwar, Joe Machado, and John Shore have served on the HFC Board for over six years. We are grateful for their leadership and service to HFC.
Pictured (L to R): Jason Black (Board Chair), John Shore, Lori Cronin (Board Member), and Cindy Kanwar. Not pictured: Joe Machado.
HFC High School Guardian Program
Last June, we launched the HFC High School Guardian Program. This initiative has provided a unique opportunity to educate the students and their school communities about the experiences and sacrifices of our nation’s senior veterans.
We currently have 29 students from 11 area high schools on the Spring flights. The high school students are selected by their respective schools and receive the same training as all other guardians. The guardian fee is waived for all eligible high school student guardians.
We have received positive feedback about this initiative from students, parents, schools, and our community. Our veterans have enjoyed the chance to share their legacy of service with the next great generation.
If you are interested in having a high school participate in our Fall 2023 flights, please contact Beth Johnson through the email/phone listed below.
Four New Hope Christian Academy (Circleville) seniors – Ellah Hood, Maren McCallister, Efthimia Tsitroulis and Jenna Tripp – along with their principal, Allison Catlos, gave a presentation to the Circleville Rotary Club about Mission 119.
Honor Flight Day at Motts Military Museum
On the 4th Saturday of the month (beginning in April) we will have an HFC Day at Motts Military Museum. This would be open to past Veterans (and families), their guardians, Veterans on the waiting list, those booked on Spring flights, and current HFC volunteers & guardians. This will be a time to come out to Motts to enjoy fellowship with other Veterans and to enjoy the museum.
HFC will have an informational table set up at the museum with Veteran applications and info cards.
Motts is giving a discount on admission. The cost will be $7 for anyone that mentions they are with HFC. Their normal cost is $12 for general admission and $10 for Veterans and seniors. HFC won’t be covering the cost of admission. Those coming would pay for their own admission.
Saturday, April 22 – 10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, May 27 – 10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, June 24 – 10 am to 2 pm
Honor Flight Columbus Reunion
We are in the midst of planning the annual HFC Reunion. We have formed a Reunion Planning Committee and we will provide more details about when, where, etc. in the coming months. Watch our website, social media channels and next quarter's newsletter for more information!
Outstanding Volunteer Award
On January 29, 2023, Larry Stone received the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Honor Flight Columbus Board of Directors.
Larry was instrumental in the development of Honor Flight Columbus through the years contributing to our success.
The award was presented to Larry by HFC board member Dr. Lori Cronin, and HFC volunteers Tim Ryan and Joe Boetsch. Attending were family and friends, including Larry’s son Dr. Bob Stone who has flown multiple missions with HFC.
Thank you, Larry, for your years of service to Honor Flight Columbus!
Thank you for your continued support of Honor Flight Columbus. We are excited for the 2023 flight season!
Your Honor Flight Columbus Staff
Beth Johnson, Interim Executive Director:
Megan Jacob, Director, Veterans Operations:
Karen Melroy-Oiler, Director, Volunteer Operations:
