NEWS
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 guess what? It's not just for Jeeps - side by sides are welcome to join the fun too! This epic day of off-roading will culminate in a chance to win a 1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ Hardtop with a 4.0 motor. So, if you've been dreaming of owning a Jeep, this could be your lucky day!  But that's not all. If you'd prefer a more laid-back evening, you can still support the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois at their dinner and silent auction. This eve [...Read more]
Mission 12 Takes Off May 7!
Upon the conclusion of Mission 11, the Board of Directors of Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois announced the 12th mission to transport Veterans to Washington D.C. is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024. "The generosity of Southern Illinois just keeps coming," said Bryan Questelle, chairman. "Thanks to the donations made, we're able to continue our mission into 2024," he said. Mission 12 is expected to take 88 veterans to Washington. Veterans are selected based on conflict served and age. Veterans Honor Flight is currently selecting veterans born before 1947.  All veterans, regardless of type of service, are eligible for Honor Flight. Veterans can apply online or [...Read more]
Welcome Home Information – Mission 11
Mission 11 is Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

Schedule

Rides Mass Transit busses from parking lot start at 5:00pm The Daniel Brothers perform at 6:00pm Whiskey & Rust perform at 7:00pm Welcome Veterans Home at 8:45pm (Flight lands at 8:30pm)

About The Welcome Home Celebration

The Welcome Home committee encourages the general public to bring Welcome Home banners and flags to the ceremony and wear patriotic attire. Multiple food trucks will be on site to provide dinner and snacks for the whole family. A portion of proceeds benefit Veterans Honor Flight. Veterans that have been on previous Honor Flights are also encouraged to come out in your red shirts and have VIP access at the Welcome Home Celebration.

Food Trucks

Mission 11 Scheduled for September 26, 2023
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois will return to Washington DC on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Veterans can register on our web site to be considered for the flight.  Mission 10 on May 9th, 2023, carried our  700th veteran. We expect our 800th veteran to be carried on Mission 11. [...Read more]
Harrison-Bruce Foundation Fully Funds Flight 10
Area veterans will have even more chances to be served by Veterans Honor Flight thanks to an influx of funding from Herrin’s Harrison-Bruce Foundation. Treasurer Randy Youngblood made the announcement Friday at a volunteer appreciation dinner being held to thank the hundreds of volunteers who make Veterans Honor Flight possible. The Harrison-Bruce Foundation has provided funding in excess of $125,000 to fully fund the upcoming 10th flight scheduled for May 9, 2023. Flight 10 is expected to take 87 veterans to D.C. along with guardians. “We are very careful with every dollar donated, because we want to serve the veterans,” Youngblood said. “Our team maintains excellent [...Read more]
Volunteers Recognized for Contributions to Honor Flight
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois recognized the team of over 300 volunteers that contribute to each flight at a dinner held at The Pavilion in Marion. "We are only able to continue this mission because of the work all of you put in," board chairman Bryan Questelle said.  During the dinner, the board recognized several organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to Honor Flight. Donations from Peoples National Bank, Pass One Hour, WPS Healthcare, J&L Automotive, Walmart, O'Charley's, and the Harrison-Bruce Foundation were and continue to be instrumental in the continuation of the Honor Flight mission.  [...Read more]
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, for free, on our web site's Photo Page. We encourage everyone to patronize our photographers and show your support for their hard work and donation to Veterans Honor Flight! [...Read more]
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. Dan served as a guardian on Flight 1 in 2017. Since then, he greeted each flight upon return to Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, handing out challenge coins to each veteran who flew. Lt. Dan was selected to fly as an honored veteran on Mission 9, October 4, 2022, but passed away on September 27, 2022 while waiting for his flight. Dan was honored on Mission 9 with an Honor Flag carried in his memory. His longtime friend, and fellow Honor Flight volun [...Read more]
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 and enjoy a trip around the airport runway with the glow of runway lights to help guide you along. Participants are encouraged to wear [...Read more]
10th Honor Flight Scheduled for May 2023
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois announced plans for a tenth flight honoring area veterans during the Welcome Home Celebration for Flight 9 on October 4, 2022. Since 2017, Veterans Honor Flight has transported over 690 veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials built in their honor. Flight 10 will carry the 700th Veteran for the hub. Scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Flight 10 is a milestone for the Hub. Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois was formed during a meeting between Bryan Questelle, Doug Kimmel, and Ryan McKennedy. In just a few short months, the newly established Board of Directors, with help from many volunteers across Southern Illinois, raised the required funds and flew in April 2017. Each flight requires tens of thousands of dollars in fund raising [...Read more]
Veterans Honor Flight