Freedom Honor Flight announces 2017 schedule

Freedom Honor Flight, the La Crosse hub of the national Honor Flight program for veterans, announced today its 2017 flight schedule. The spring flight is scheduled for May 6, 2017. The fall flight is set for September 16, 2017. The organization has flown more than 1,800 to date. The 2017 flights will be the 19th and 20th held.

Veterans for the spring flight will be notified by phone Wednesday night as part of the organization’s Veterans Calling Night. “It is such a fun experience, calling veterans and letting them know it’s their turn to fly,” said board member Kathy Van Kirk-Przywojski. “Most of them have been on the waiting list for some time, so they’re really excited and ready to go.”

There are currently 11 World War II veterans, 171 Korean War era veterans, 306 Vietnam veterans on the waiting list. Veterans for the flights are selected in order of application, though World War II veterans have priority status. The group encourages World War II and Korean era veterans to apply for future flights. Officials also remind the public that all veterans in the Freedom Honor Flight service area are eligible to apply for an honor flight. Physicians and paramedics accompanying each flight help with oxygen, medication and personal needs, enabling those with chronic health problems or disabilities to attend. Volunteer guardians assigned to each veteran provide additional assistance.

Freedom Honor Flight also launched a new website that allows veterans and guardians to apply online. Downloadable applications are also available here: www.freedomhonorflight.org.