Collier-Lee Honor Flight Invites Public to Welcome Home Local Veterans

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aug. 31, 2018 - PRLog -- Collier-Lee Honor Flight, an organization whose mission is to transport local veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials and honor their service, invites the public to attend the welcome home celebration on Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Southwest Florida International Airport.  More than 2,000 family members, local service members, law enforcement and well-wishers are expected at the welcome home ceremony for the veterans on the American Airlines flight returning from Washington, D.C.

75 senior veterans will be returning from a one day trip to Washington D.C. where they will visit the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial.  The trip will include laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.  Each veteran will be accompanied by a guardian, a volunteer that has paid for their trip and ensures that every veteran has a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience.  Twelve Gold Star family members, families that have lost a loved one in battle, will accompany the veterans as guardians for the day.

An increasing number of WWII veterans are unable to take the flight to Washington, D.C. due to health issues.  Ten of these "Honor at Home" veterans will be included in the welcome home celebration when the traveling veterans return from their day in Washington.

"These trips are not possible without public support," said Sean Lux, founder and director of Collier-Lee Honor Flight.  "Veterans tell us that the Honor Flight is one of the best days of their life.  Many had given up hope of seeing the memorials. Now they have hope, but time is running out to give one last thank you to our proud heroes who sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms."

225 five veterans will participate in a total of three Collier-Lee honor Flights in 2018.  A single flight can cost more than $80,000. Support for these trips is provided by donors and volunteers and is at no cost to the veterans. Top priority is given to most senior heroes – survivors of WWII and any veteran with a terminal illness. The program also extends to Korean and Vietnam War Veterans as space allows, on a chronological basis.

The next Collier-Lee Honor Flight will take place on Saturday, October 20.  The welcome home for the October 20 flight will take place from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Southwest Florida International Airport.  Veterans can apply for an Honor Flight by visiting collierleehonorflight.org/how-to-apply or calling (239) 777-9295.

Collier-Lee Honor Flight is a 501C (3) non-profit, 100% volunteer organization relying solely on donations.  To learn more visit collierhonorflight.org, email info@collierleehonorflight.org or call (239) 777-9295.  Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/colliercountyhonorflight.

About Collier-Lee Honor Flight

Established in 2013, Collier-Lee Honor Flight's mission is to transport local veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.

Support for these trips is provided by donors and volunteers and is at no cost to the veterans. Top priority is given to most senior heroes – survivors of WWII and any veteran with a terminal illness. The program also extends to Korean and Vietnam War Veterans as space allows, on a chronological basis.

Collier-Lee Honor Flight is a 501C (3) non-profit, 100% volunteer organization relying solely on donations.  To learn more visit collierleehonorflight.org or call (239) 777-9295.  Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/colliercountyhonorflight