Hudson Valley Honor Flight postpones fall 2020 flights and luncheon
WALDEN, N.Y. (June 1, 2020) — Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the fact that the majority of our veterans fall into the high risk category of 60 and older, Hudson Valley Honor Flight has decided to postpone our two upcoming fall flights as well as our annual lunch of honor. The board of directors unanimously agreed that the decision must be made according to one of our guiding principles: the health and safety of our veterans is our top priority.
We know that our veteran applicants are anxiously awaiting their opportunity to take part in the honor flight experience. We remain hopeful that we will be able to honor our veterans once again in spring 2021 and will announce new flight dates as soon as they are solidified.
In addition, our annual lunch of honor event, which typically takes place in late fall, will also be postponed. Again, we have reached this decision knowing that it would be virtually impossible to ensure the health and safety of so many guests that fall into the high risk category of 60 or older. We hope to be able to reschedule the lunch of honor for a future date well after social distancing restrictions have been lifted and we can celebrate like only 800+ honor flight patriots can.
“The world has been impacted by COVID19 and we are no different. In a time like this, as humans, we all must secure the basic needs of health and safety.” said Frank Kimler, Chairman. “We are truly saddened that we must postpone these events that we love so much, but also know in our hearts that it is the right decision to make at this time. Our veterans mean the world to us and we look forward to seeing them again as soon as possible.”
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 non-profit “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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