The community’s help is sought for finding World War II and Korean-era veterans to participate in a program that provides veterans who apply a free trip to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials honoring their service and sacrifice.
The LAND OF LINCOLN HONOR FLIGHT, the nonprofit hub of the Honor Flight Network, welcomes World War II and Korean-era veterans or their families to contact them about participating in Flight No. 59, which is scheduled to take place Oct. 29.
“The numbers are dwindling for those era of veterans. We need to get them on a flight,” said STEVEN WHEELER, veteran coordinator and a member of the executive board of Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
“We’re just running out of time because of their advanced age. We just want to make sure that we’re combing the area well enough, and we’re finding any World War II or Korean veterans that might want to take this flight and are able to at this point.”
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight’s mission is to provide round-trip transportation from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport for veterans in order of their service (World War II, Korean Era and Vietnam Era) who wish to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. This is the honor flight’s 11th flying season. To date, the program has taken 56 flights to Washington, D.C., and has served 4,361 veterans out of Springfield.
“We are serving World War II, Korean and Vietnam right now, but we have about 600 Vietnam vets on a wait list, so the word is getting out to the combat vets, and we have more time with those guys, too,” Wheeler said.
“Although, we are losing Vietnam vets. My call volunteers reach out to every veteran to fill the flights, myself and my call volunteers, and on the Aug. 20 flight (which is full), when we booked that, we had six Vietnam veterans that had passed away before we could get them on a flight. That’s the heartbreaking part of this job.”
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is responsible for all expenses of the one-day trip, including the flight, ground transportation, meals/snack and beverages. The trip is provided free of charge to veterans. Trained volunteer guardians provide assistance and accompany veterans on the flight.
World War II and Korean-era veterans or their families may contact the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight by calling Wheeler at 473-2540 or visiting www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org or its Facebook page.
“These guys deserve it. They gave us our lifestyle that we enjoy every single day of our lives, and we owe this to them to say, ‘Thank you,’ ” Wheeler said.
Elizabeth Ann Seton closed
A nonprofit that embraces the sanctity and dignity of life by nurturing low-income pregnant and parenting women has closed.
The ELIZABETH ANN SETON PROGRAM, which has served Springfield and surrounding communities for more than 20 years has closed due to “unforeseen financial, staffing and personnel circumstances,” according to a press release. Recently, the program was based in Springfield at 700 N. Seventh St.
The program’s board of directors voted Friday, June 21, to close, said President KAITLYN KEEN.
The Elizabeth Ann Seton Program will work with partnering agencies to transition services. Any funds left will be donated to local nonprofits who serve Elizabeth Ann Seton’s clients and their families.
“The recipients will be decided by the board of directors once the amount is determined that we have available to give,” Keen said.
“Our hearts are with our clients and our supporters.”
For more information, call 757-6025.
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© 2019 The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill.
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