Greater St. Louis Honor Flight is a 501 c 3 organization, whose mission is to safely transport America’s most senior military veterans to Washington, D.C., to experience the memorials built in their honor. We are dedicated to these heroic men and women having one of the best days of their life.
Our hub launched in 2008 and has since safely traveled with more than 2500 local veterans. This experience is provided at zero cost to our veterans. Each travels with a Guardian, who insures not only their safety but also that their experience is profound and fulfilling.
America’s World War II veterans are passing at the rate of 430 per day. GSLHF is committed to doing all we can to ensure Saint Louis-area veterans make it to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials built in their honor.
Our priority currently is World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans, as well as any veteran who is experiencing a terminal illness.
Our vision at Greater St. Louis Honor Flight extends to all veterans – from our Vietnam veterans who deserve a proper “Welcome Home” all the way to today’s active duty heroes.
THE NATIONAL HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK
The Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, to honor veterans he took care of for over 27 years. Honor Flight originated in 2005 with six small planes flying 12 World War II veterans from Springfield, OH to Washington, D.C.. In 2006, with an ever-expanding waiting list of veterans, commercial airline carriers were used to accommodate as many honorees as possible, as quickly as possible. Partnering with HonorAir in Henderson, NC, the “Honor Flight Network” was formed and began rapid program expansion across the nation. www.honorflight.org
Our Day of Honor
Greater St. Louis Honor Flight honors St. Louis area veterans’ service to our country by providing an all-inclusive trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor.
Highlights of our one-day trip include visits to the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial. We visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and also the Lincoln Memorial, and many other surprises along the way.
Everywhere we go, civilians take time to acknowledge and honor the men and women on our trips. Our Welcome Home celebration is unrivaled in its patriotic enthusiasm. Many of our cherished veterans say, “That was the best day of my life.”