Frequently asked questions

Veterans are flown on a “first-come, first-served basis.” Within the applicants, top priority is given to WWII veterans and any veteran with a terminal illness. Our next priority is to Korean War veterans and then Vietnam veterans.

At the present time, our priority is to take as many WWII and Korean War veterans as we possibly can. The only spouses permitted to go are those who are veterans themselves.

Sadly, the answer is “no.” Our priority is to accommodate the WWII, Korean War and terminally ill veterans on our waiting list. Adding spouses and widows simply isn’t an option for our program.

The cost is FREE for veterans. You don’t need to bring any money, unless you intend to purchase souvenirs.

It’s difficult to give you an exact time, but our waitlist currently has more than 250 veterans. It’s not uncommon for it to take 1-2 years. If you’re a veteran who’s been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you are eligible to fly through our TLC program.

The safety, comfort and enjoyment of our veterans come first. Freedom Honor Flight includes medical professionals on its board of directors, and every flight carries a full crew of paramedics and medically trained guardians. That expertise allows us to welcome many veterans who use wheelchairs or oxygen therapy and make sure they travel safely and comfortably. We provide wheelchairs for veterans who need them and handle all wheelchair transportation to and from Washington, D.C., so veterans and their families have one less thing to worry about.

OXYGEN — If the veteran requires oxygen therapy, a prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the veteran’s healthcare provider identifying the delivery method of nasal cannula, frequency (pulsed or continuous), and the rate of delivery (2–3 liters per minute).   If the prescription calls for continuous, the maximum upper limit is 3 liters. Freedom Honor Flight will provide an FAA-approved oxygen concentrator for use during the trip. Veterans on oxygen therapy are required to have oxygen cylinders available from their home to the departure airport and also on the return from the airport back to their homes. No oxygen cylinders are permitted on the aircraft. Please call us at 608-784-1015 to discuss arrangements.

WHEELCHAIRS – More than one-third of the veterans we have been transporting have been in wheelchairs. Freedom Honor Flight furnishes wheelchairs and our deluxe motor coaches accommodate wheelchairs. Many of the motor coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

YES! Veterans who are terminally ill go to the top of the list for the next flight to Washington D.C. as part of our TLC Program. Not only are WWII veterans who are terminally ill given this top priority, but any terminally ill veteran who has never been able to visit their memorial is given the same priority under our TLC Program. For more information, please read more about the TLC Program.

Anyone! We encourage family, friends and community members, whether you know someone on the flight, to help send off and welcome back veterans at Colgan Air, Hangar 4, at the La Crosse Regional Airport. The morning sendoff ceremony starts promptly at 6 a.m. Flights typically arrive back between 9 and 10 p.m., but that time can vary depending on several factors. Seating and light refreshments are available. Homemade signs are encouraged!

Throughout the United States, there are several programs that operate in conjunction with Honor Flight. The individual program directors are part of a partnership called the Honor Flight Network. This governing body establishes general protocols, policies and credentialing, and maintains a national website and oversight of several programs. They also organize volunteers in Washington, D.C., who help in various ways to support our visits to the city.

Our funding comes exclusively from individuals and organizations who recognize and wish to honor the great accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans. Significant contributors have been fraternal organizations like the American Legion, VFW, Am Vets, DAV, MOPH, posts and chapters. We also benefit from the support of several major sponsors.