Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Concludes 2025 Season with Mission #76

The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) will bring its 2025 flying season to close on October 21 with Mission #76, which is set to carry 93 Vietnam-era veterans from 62 Illinois communities, along with participants from Carthage, Texas and Venice, Florida, on a journey of remembrance to the nation’s capital.

At 4:00 a.m. that day, veterans and their guardians will gather at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield to depart on a chartered Sun Country 737. Their itinerary includes visits to memorials honoring World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War service, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Air & Space Museum, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, and the U.S. Air Force Memorial.

The return is scheduled for 9:30 p.m., when the flight will land back in Springfield. The public, friends, family, and previous LLHF participants are encouraged to fill the airport in a show of gratitude and respect. Parking will be free, with volunteers on hand to assist and a shuttle available to transport guests to the terminal.

Joan Bortolon, president of LLHF, emphasized the importance of the welcome-home ceremony, saying, “The welcome home at the airport is the experience our veterans earned and deserve — but never received.” She encouraged the community to arrive early to help provide a heartfelt reception for those who sacrificed so much.

This mission comes at no cost to the veterans, as LLHF operates entirely on public donations, sponsorships, fundraising, and volunteer effort, without any government funding. To date, the program has served more than 6,000 Central Illinois veterans across 75 flights. Administrative expenses are kept around two percent, ensuring the vast majority of funds go directly toward covering flight costs.

Bortolon also encouraged veterans of World War II, the Korean Era, and Vietnam to apply for future flights, noting that the wait list is shorter than ever. Seriously impaired or terminally ill veterans are given priority for flights, and for those unable to travel, LLHF offers a “Flightless Honor Flight” program to ensure they are still recognized for their service.

Looking ahead, LLHF has plans for three missions in 2026, scheduled for May, September, and October. Applications for veteran and guardian participation can be found on the organization’s website.