Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois completed the twelfth mission to Washington DC today, with 89 veterans being honored. Upon the return at the Welcome Home Celebration held at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, the Board of Directors announced Mission 13 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
In addition, it was announced the Allan and Wanda McCabe Family Foundation has provided full financial support for Mission 13.
Allan McCabe flew on his Honor Flight – Flight #3 on April 24, 2018. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving his country during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952.
Allan and his wife Wanda were lifelong residents of the Marion area. They were educators in the Marion Community Unit Two School District. In addition they were very successful farmers, cattle raisers and breeders of beef cattle and award-winning Angus bulls. Together, they shared sixty years of marriage.
It was Allan and Wanda’s wishes that funds from their trust be made available for grants to community organizations in order to promote and sustain the strength and solidarity of the greater Marion community.
The Allan and Wanda McCabe Foundation Directors hope and trust that these funds will be used properly by the individuals and organizations who receive them, and in turn, use these gifts to support and enhance the lives of many southern Illinoisans to promote a stronger Marion, Illinois area – Just as Allan and Wanda McCabe had done for almost a century.
“We are truly blessed to be able to continue this mission. While we want to honor every veteran in Southern Illinois, it takes the support of the entire community to keep us going,” said Bryan Questelle, Chairman of Veterans Honor Flight. “Our heroes deserve this honor, and we want every single veteran to sign up so we can take you to DC.”
Honor Flight is provided completely free to every veteran. A single flight costs over $120,000.
“It’s amazing, that Mr. McCabe’s wishes allow us to take even more veterans,” Questelle said. He said the organization never dreamed they would be able to fund flights which have now honored over 900 veterans.
Every veterans is eligible to fly, regardless of branch or type of service. Applications are available online at www.veteranshonorflight.org.
Those wishing to donate may do so at www.veteranshonorflight.org or at any area Peoples National Bank or Banterra location.
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is an established 501(c)3 non-profit hub of the Honor Flight network. All expenses for this one-day trip are covered by Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois including the flight, ground transportation, meals, and beverages. The trip is provided absolutely free of charge to the veterans.
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is implemented solely by volunteers with 96.5 cents of every dollar donated going straight to the Veterans.
For additional information or to apply to become a Guardian, Volunteer or Honor Flight Veteran, visit our website www.veteranshonorflight.org
