2023 Flight Plans & Sponsors At the time of this newsletter, we have 524 veterans on our waiting list. We will be booking our Fall Flights starting the first weeks of July. FALL FLIGHTS: Mission 124: September 7, 2023 - Sponsor: Vance Outdoors Mission 125: September 28, 2023 - Sponsor: OhioHealth & Grateful Americans Mission 126: October 19, 2023 - Sponsor: Ragan/McNamara Families Mission 127: November 2, 2023 - Battelle Mission 128: November 9, 2023 - Nationwide Thank you to our 2023 Spring Flight Sponsors: Vance Outdoors, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, All Life Foundation, and the City of Dublin. With their support, we were able to fly 331 veterans from April through June! We are thankful for ALL of 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 started 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 started on April 3. The Columbus Regional Airport Authority sponsors a flight each year from the proceeds of this race. To register, check out their website HERE.
For a full listing of our events, check out our website: www.honorflightcmh.org/events
SAVE THE DATE 16th Honor Flight Columbus Reunion! SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 WHERE: OHIO HISTORY CENTER 800 E 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 It’s all about the Veterans! Veterans and one guest, please. For Veterans and Guardians from your mission to reunite, we ask that you attend during your posted time. The entire Museum and Ohio Village will be open to tour. Mission Date: 2022, 2023 - 10:00 am to 11:30 am Mission Date: 2021 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm Mission Date: 2018, 2019 - 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Mission Date 2007 to 2017 - 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm Guardians and Volunteers, please contact your Veterans and meet them at the Reunion. We ask Guardians and Volunteers not to bring a guest so we can focus on our HFC Veterans. Invitations will be mailed to Veterans soon. Guardians and Volunteers, check your email for more information coming soon. A sign-up will be available in August for reunion day Volunteers. If you have any questions, please email reunion@honorflightcmh.org Thank you to Huntington Bank - our HFC 2023 Reunion Sponsor!
Veteran Eligibility
As shared in the 2023 First Quarter Newsletter, we have changed our veteran eligibility for our missions. Honor Flight Columbus accepts applications from veterans who are age 65 and over and who have served at least one day of active duty (outside of any basic training active duty).
Veterans who served before 1961 (WWII, Korea, and Cold War) and qualified terminally ill veterans receive priority and are booked on the first available flight.
Veterans who served after 1961 are placed on a waiting list and are booked in the order that we receive their applications.
HFC High School Guardian Program
A year ago we launched the HFC High School Guardian Program. This program has provided a unique opportunity to educate students and their school communities about the experiences and sacrifices of our nation’s senior veterans.
As of Mission 123 (June 15, 2023), we have had 45 high school students from over 25 schools.
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.
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 reach out to Beth Johnson, Executive Director, at beth@honorflightcmh.org or 614-284-4987.
Veteran Ambassador Program From time to time we receive requests to have HFC Veterans come to schools and organizations to speak about their Honor Flight and to encourage other veterans to participate. Would you be interested in being a “Veteran Ambassador” for Honor Flight Columbus? If so, please reach out to Beth Johnson, Executive Director, at beth@honorflightcmh.org or 614-284-4987.
Regional Volunteer Program Are you passionate about the Mission of Honor Flight Columbus? Are you interested in becoming a part of our Regional Volunteer Program? Honor Flight Columbus serves a regional territory of 36 Ohio Counties - Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Marion, Meigs, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Washington, and Wyandot. We are working with the Veteran Service Commission offices in each county to identify areas where we could reach more Veterans to share info on HFC. We need volunteers in these counties to help with info tables at fairs and festivals, walk in parades, and help with other events. We also need help to find organizations within these counties that can help spread the word about HFC's mission. Honor Flight Columbus will continue to fly Veterans as long as there are Veterans who are interested in going. You can help us connect with other senior Veterans! If you would like more information, please email the office at info@honorflightcmh.org.
Connecting With Veterans
We want to be able to share the HFC Mission and opportunity with every qualified Veteran and maintain relationships with our Alumni Veterans. To accomplish that goal, we have several events happening over the summer:
**Honor Flight Day at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum**
On Sunday, August 13, 2023, we will have an HFC Day at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. This will be a time to come out to NVMM 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.
Admission is FREE for Veterans, active-duty military members and Gold Star families. Admission will be $18 for adults (18-64); $16 for seniors (65+); $13 for college students; $11 for youth (5-17); and children under five are free. HFC won’t be covering the cost of admission. Those coming would pay for their own admission.
The NVMM is located in downtown Columbus - address: 300 West Broad Street, Columbus 43215. Their website is: www.nationalvmm.org.
**Honor Flight Day at Motts Military Museum**
On the 4th Saturday of the month we will have an HFC Day at Motts Military Museum. 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.
Dates and Times:
Saturday, June 24 – 10 am to 1 pm
Saturday, July 22 - 10 am to 1 pm
Saturday, August 26 - 10 am to 1 pm
Motts Military Museum is located in Groveport - address: 5075 S Hamilton Rd, Groveport, 43125
If you have questions regarding these events, contact the office - 614-284-4987 or info@honorflightcmh.org.
Thank you for your continued support of Honor Flight Columbus!
Sincerely,
Your Honor Flight Columbus Staff
Beth Johnson, Executive Director:
Megan Jacob, Director, Veterans Operations:
Karen Melroy-Oiler, Director, Volunteer Operations:
