Honor Flight opportunities available for area veterans
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The Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight organization recently completed Mission 24 and included 33 veterans: two Korean War veterans, six Cold War veterans, three Cuban Missile Crisis veterans, and twenty-two Vietnam War veterans. Each veteran brought their own experiences and stories, making this an incredibly meaningful trip for everyone involved.
Although Warren County was not represented on this particular flight, organizers emphasize that spreading local awareness is crucial to getting more area veterans registered for future flights.
For nearly six years, Buffalo native and Vietnam veteran Frank Cius Jr. lived the grueling reality of a prisoner of war. Decades later, while visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial last month his military service was brought full circle when he found the names of four friends he lost in a helicopter crash. He shared that being able to find their names and take home rubbings of those names brought him much-needed closure. This type of powerful healing is what defines the Honor Flight experience. Beyond the historical monuments, the trips offer veterans a rare opportunity to reflect, remember, and bond with others who share in the understanding of their lived history.
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight is a 100% volunteer organization. Every mission is made possible through fundraising, donations, sponsorships, and countless volunteer hours. Veterans participate at absolutely no cost to them. It takes a tremendous amount of planning and financial support to make each flight possible, but seeing the impact these experiences have on veterans makes every effort worthwhile.
One of the biggest challenges is the significant waiting list of veterans who would like to participate, resulting in the organization's expansion of three flights each year in an effort to provide this opportunity to more veterans. Even so, the waiting list continues to be substantial, challenging the volunteers of the organization to find ways to increase capacity and reach more veterans.
"Personally, I have been working with veterans in our local communities to help them complete their applications and get on the waiting list for an upcoming mission. I want to make sure that veterans in Warren County and the surrounding communities know this opportunity is available to them," Advisory Board Member Misty Weber said. Continuing, she said, "I am incredibly grateful to serve alongside such dedicated board members and volunteers who give their time and energy to make these missions possible. Our goal is to continue expanding our efforts so that as many veterans as possible have the opportunity to experience an Honor Flight."
Veterans and their families are encouraged to reach out, ask questions, and complete an application. The first step is getting their names on the list. This is much more than just a trip, the Honor Flight is about recognizing the sacrifices made and showing veterans that their service is never forgotten. It provides them with an opportunity to share their stories and for some, it is the first time they have truly been thanked for their service. For others, it can provide a sense of closure that has been decades in the waiting.
Anyone interested in applying, volunteering, donating, or learning more about Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight can visit www.buffaloniagarahonorflight.org. Weber is happy to personally assist local veterans and their families with the application process and can be reached at 814-723-0574 x 1315 or webermd@wcsdpa.org.
Weber added, "Our veterans have given so much to our country. Honor Flight is one small way we can give something meaningful back to them."