Eastern Iowa Honor Flight..... A look back, a look forward, and a thank you. Good New Years Eve Morning. On behalf of the volunteers and Board of Directors of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, I want to wish one an all a Happy, Safe, and Prosperous New Year. May you all enjoy the warmth of family and friends, and the wonderment of enjoying the potential of a new chapter in your life. As Brad Paisley said, Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one. Our look back reveals that from our first flight through the October 2014 flight we have conducted 18 flights and been able to transport 1458 veterans plus their guardians to Washington, DC to see the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. We have met some outstanding veterans and learned much from their stories. These are the men and women who helped preserve and reinforce the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy today. There have been many new friendships formed between the veterans and their guardians which continue today. The flights themselves are a learning experience for us, and we learn something from each flight that we use to enhance the experience. The flights are an involved process in planning and executing, but the veterans we serve make the effort worthwhile. Our look forward reveals that we will again do four flights this year (2015), and hope to reach out to and transport as many veterans as we possibly can. Our priorities remain as is: (1). Any terminally ill veteran (regardless of conflict as long as they are physically able to make the trip); (2) WW II Veterans (3) Korean Veterans. Our hope and desire is to keep flying as long as we can and hopefully get into the Vietnam Era Veterans. So if you are a veteran, or a family member of a veteran who you think might want to take this trip (veterans at no cost), go to our website at eihonorflight.org and download and complete an application, and return it to us. Applications are processed in order that they are received. It is an experience of a lifetime as I am sure any veteran or guardian who has been on a flight will tell you. As soon as our flight dates our finalized, we will post them. Look forward to seeing many of you, either on a flight or the welcome home at the airport. Our thanks? Where do we begin. Of course the veterans who give reason for this organizations existence. And then obviously with the people who make these flights possible. Our donors. Whether an individual, a group, or a corporation such as Quaker, Rockwell Collins, PMX Industries, the Washington County Riverboat foundation, and hundreds of others who have donated to us. Whether $5 or $85,000.00, you keep us in operation. We take pride in telling you that every dollar you donate to us goes to flight operations. There are no salaries in this all volunteer organization. Our volunteers, who are some of the best I have ever worked with deserve much kudos for their dedication and commitment. Whether at orientation, doing data entry at a work session, or numerous other tasks, they are there and committed to the cause of serving our veterans. Finally, we love the groups and individuals who turn out to the airport every flight for the welcome home which never fails to astonish the veterans when they see the crowds waiting for them. The Patriot Guard Riders with their flag corridor are a sight that stirs the hearts of those who have served, and those who support those who have served. They are an honorable group of individuals who believe in honoring those who answered the call of country. The New Horizons Band, The Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club, The Knights of Columbus, various American Legion and VFW Posts, the Cedar Rapids Police and Fire Departments, Linn Co Sheriffs Office, Iowa State Patrol, and many, other individuals and organizations who come out every flight.......... we sincerely thank you for your dedication to honoring these veterans. Happy New Year Eastern Iowa Honor Flight
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:35:14 +0000
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