Author Archives: Evan Youngblood

Everyone’s Invited to Welcome Home Mission 12 Veterans

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois welcomes everyone to join us on May 7 at Veterans Airport to welcome home 88 Veterans who are being honored on Mission 12. Festivities begin at 5:30pm. Mission 12 is expected to land at Veterans Airport around 8:30pm. The public is invited to bring signs to welcome our heroes […]

Mission 13 Veteran Application Deadline April 21

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is deep into plans for a 13th Mission to Washington DC. Planned for the Fall of 2024, Mission 13 will aim to transport 85 veterans to DC to see the memorials built in their honor. Veterans Honor Flight currently has over 500 veteran applications on file, waiting for selection. […]

J&L Custom Automotive Leprechaun Hunt

J&L Custom Automotive in Mulkeytown is once again hosting an event to benefit Veterans Honor Flight. Returning for 2024 is the Leprechaun Hunt! Jeep lovers, get ready for a thrilling adventure! We’re excited to announce that J & L Custom Automotive Leprechaun Hunt Jeep Run and Jeep Raffle is happening on March 16th, 2024. And […]

Photos Posted from Flight 9

With each flight, dedicated photographers are taken to DC with our Honored Veterans to capture the day. These photographers donate their time, skill, and products to our Veterans. With Flight 9, Courtney Paige of Boulder Creek Photography and Kasey Wolters of KC Photography took on the challenge. Over 2,000 photos were taken. Photos are available, […]

Board Establishes Award in Memory of Lt. Dan Finke

The Board of Directors of Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois were saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Honor Flight volunteer, Daniel E. “Lt. Dan” Finke. Lt. Dan became a member of the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois (“VHFSI”) team from the beginning. Lt. Dan served as Volunteer Coordinator for VHFSI. Lt. […]

Runway 5K Returns

We are so excited to tell you that the O’Charley’s 5K on the Runway is back this year! On November 11, 2022, join us on the runway at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois to run the 5th annual 5K under the runway lights! Runners and walkers from throughout the area are invited to come out […]

Successful Flight 7 Brings 87 Veterans to D.C.

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois completed their seventh flight to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 after a nearly two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-volunteer group departed Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois at 5:30am for a day packed with visits to memorials in our nation’s capitol. This flight carried 87 […]

Public Invited to 7th Welcome Home Celebration

  Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois  Invites Public to Welcome Home Ceremony  Plenty of Parking, Transportation, Food and Entertainment  Where will be you be at 5pm on Tuesday, September 28th? Hopefully at Veterans Airport of  Southern Illinois in Marion to welcome home our Veterans from their day in Washington, DC!  Event organizers have been […]

Vaccines Required on 2021 Honor Flights

The Honor Flight Network, the national organization which governs all Honor Flight hubs has announced that all passengers on honor flights in 2021 will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The two dose vaccine from Moderna or Pfizer, or the single dose vaccine from Johnson and Johnson are sufficient. For those who receive a two […]

Veterans Honor Flight Plans Fall 2021 Flight

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois has been notified by The Honor Flight Network that flights are not allowed prior to July 1, 2021. Because of this, Veterans Honor Flight is planning to conduct Flight 7 in the Fall of 2021. Originally scheduled for May 2020, Flight 7 veterans and guardians have been selected. Everyone […]