What began as a small-scale operation with a little plane and a few good men has exploded into a national organization, but the folks at Honor Flight Dayton say that the non-profit is starting to struggle financially as the flights get larger and donations decrease.
Al Bailey of Honor Flight Dayton joined the 88 veterans on Saturday’s flight to Washington, D.C., as he does for most of the summer trips. Bailey and I spoke last week about how the organization is just starting to feel the effects of dwindling donations, with only enough remaining funds to cover the next two flights.
Trips with Honor Flight Dayton currently cost around $65,000 per flight, Bailey said, which covers the veterans’ airfare, meals, nurses, and other needs for the day. He noted that while guardians’ airfare usually contributes $20,000 each flight, the group is paying nearly $50,000 for each trip.
“We’re really hurting right now,” said Bailey, adding that their donations are stretched as far as possible, however, with at least five or six trips planned each season, they’re spending in excess of $250,000 annually.
He noted that all Honor Flight Dayton Board Members and workers “don’t receive a dime” for their time, as they are all strictly volunteers. Bailey said it was a goal for the board to reach out to larger businesses and corporations for donors to this worthy cause. He added that donations from individual fundraisers, such as the upcoming Honor Flight fundraiser at Enon’s Brandeberry Winery later this month, also help the group significantly.
Saturday’s flight to D.C. was filled with 88 veterans all together—66 from the Vietnam conflict, 11 from Korea, and ten from World War II.
Enon veterans Robert Denman and Keith McMurray, who both served in World War II, were among the lucky veterans on this most recent trip. New Carlisle men Roger Littlejohn, who served during Vietnam, Robert Bechtel who served during Korea, and Lloyd Deichert, who served in World War II also went on Saturday’s trip.
Hundreds of civilians and active servicemen arrived at the Dayton International Airport Saturday night, hours ahead of the veterans’ anticipated return, to go through security and be waiting back at the gate for the flight’s return. Hundreds more also lined the main terminal closer to 11 that night to greet the veterans and give them one last surprise for the evening.
Honor Flight Board Members spoke to the crowds just before the veterans’ arrival, thanking everyone for taking time out of their lives just to see these men return. Many Honor Flight veterans consider the grand welcoming home ceremony in Dayton that night to be the most memorable part of their trip, as these men and women were not greeted with anyfanfare upon their return home from the country’s respective wars.
Veterans pay nothing to go on an Honor Flight, and those who served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam are currently eligible to go on a trip. To fill out a veteran’s application or guardian application, visit www.honorflightdayton.org, or call 937-322-4448. Those with interest in donating to the organization should also contact the group by calling or visiting the website.
