WALDEN, N.Y (Aug. 16, 2016) --- Walden-based Hudson Valley Honor Flight will fly its 1,000th veteran on its Sept. 10 flight to Washington, D.C. to see the nation's memorials honoring veterans.
This Saturday flight, which would normally be called Mission 13 but is now dubbed Flight 1,000, will depart out of Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.
"To reach this milestone of giving 1,000 area veterans the thrill of visiting Washington, D.C., with their veteran colleagues, to see their respective memorials our nation has erected to honor their service to our country is a tremendous privilege for us," said Board Chairman Frank Kimler.
The exact name of the person who is the 1,000th veteran will be kept confidential so as to ensure all veterans onboard are equally recognized for the military contributions.
Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) is a nonprofit organization honoring American veterans for all their sacrifices by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit their respective war memorials at no cost to them. HVHF is also a local hub of the National Honor Flight Network, which has over 100 independent non-profit "hubs" nationwide.
Each veteran is accompanied by a volunteer, personal "guardian" who is responsible for ensuring that veteran's trip is a memorable one. Guardians are responsible for covering the cost of their trip.
"We encourage them to contact us and let us know of their interest," added Kimler. "We are asking the region's veterans organizations to reach out to us with names of veterans who would like to make this trip."
HVHF's remaining flight is Saturday, Oct. 29 and will depart out of Westchester County Airport in White Plains.
HVHF serves veterans from Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Westchester, Rockland, Sullivan and Putnam counties in addition to Pike County, Pa., Bergen County, N.J. and Fairfield County, Conn. Veterans from other surrounding counties are also considered.
To learn more, or reserve a place, call 845-391-0076 or visit here.
