Honor Flights Suspended Nationwide through the end of June 2021
Hudson Valley Honor Flight hopes to fly in the fall and encourages veterans to apply
WALDEN, N.Y. (February 22, 2021) — The national Honor Flight Board of Directors has recently decided to suspend all flights for all Honor Flight hubs nationwide through June 30, 2021. Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that honors our nation’s veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials at no cost to the heroes. While flights are currently suspended, HVHF is continuing to make preparations for potential fall flight dates and encourages local veterans to submit an application.
The suspension of all flights nationwide is based on a number of factors, including the status, timing and availability of COVID-19 vaccine for all age groups likely to participate in an Honor Flight (veterans, guardians and volunteers); group-gathering restrictions in Washington, D.C.; and a suspension of all group-gathering permits issued by the National Park Service.
“The difficult decision to suspend all honor flights was made after significant discussion and consideration of many factors beyond our control. While it is disheartening that we cannot fly this spring, we want our Hudson Valley veterans to know that we are not resting on our laurels,” said Frank Kimler, Chairman of Hudson Valley Honor Flight and member of the National Honor Flight Board of Directors. “We remain dedicated to our mission of honoring our local veterans and are busy with hopeful planning for an exciting fall of 2021.”
“If the suspension is indeed lifted at the end of this June, we will be ready to once again offer our local veterans the flight of a lifetime! We are currently accepting applications from veterans and guardians and encourage anyone interested in participating to apply as soon as possible. We are eager to once again offer this one-of-a-kind day of honor and thanks to our local veterans,” said Executive Director Jennifer DeFrancesco.
Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) is a local nonprofit based in Walden which honors Hudson Valley area veterans for all their sacrifices by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit their respective war memorials at no cost to them. HVHF is also the local hub of the National Honor Flight Network, which has more than 100 independent nonprofit “hubs” nationwide.
HVHF is currently seeking sponsorship for future missions, as there are many worthy and eligible veterans and HVHF wants to continue honoring them. To learn more, call 845-391-0076 or visit: hvhonorflight.com.
ABOUT HUDSON VALLEY HONOR FLIGHT
Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization which “Honors American Veterans” for all their sacrifices. HVHF transports these heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials at no cost to them. It is the local hub of the National Honor Flight Network (which consists of more than 100 independent non-profit “hubs” across America). HVHF flies multiple times a year out of Stewart International Airport and Westchester County Airport. It serves veterans from the following counties: Orange (N.Y.), Ulster (N.Y.), Dutchess (N.Y.), Westchester (N.Y.), Rockland (N.Y.), Sullivan (N.Y.), Putnam (N.Y.), Pike (Pa.), Bergen (N.J.), and Fairfield (Conn.). Veterans from other surrounding counties are considered as well. Top priority is given to those of the Greatest Generation, that of World War II, and terminally ill veterans from other wars. HVHF plans to take ALL veterans from other wars on future flights. Applications are kept on file. For more information, visit hvhonorflight.com.
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