The 2025 season is complete! Thanks to the selfless efforts of our more than one thousand volunteers, Honor Flight Chicago successfully brought 779 senior war heroes to Washington, D.C., across seven flights this year. We honored two WWII, 29 Korean War, and 748 Vietnam War Veterans as well as four Gold Star family members traveling in Guardian seats. Along the way we crossed the 12,000 Veterans flown threshold – the most of any hub in the entire nation.
The year began with uncertainty over plane availability from our forever-partner Southwest Airlines, however they came through with flying (pun intended) colors and again provided our Veterans with flawless service in the skies. We want to extend special gratitude to Karen Melone, who retired as Southwest’s Midway Manager for Customer Service in July after many years of assisting our flights.
Uncertainty threatened again for HFC126, however our DC leadership and partners came together to plan an incredible season finale despite the Federal government shutdown. One thing that was certain was the continued support of Powering Chicago, which returned as the full flight sponsor for the second-consecutive year. In addition to their financial generosity, members of IBEW Local 134 and the NECA served as Guardians on the flight, with the flag line during the Welcome Home procession, and as representatives cheering on our Heroes during the parade through baggage claim. Thank you Powering Chicago!
Shutdown related gratitude also goes to the Dunbar High School (DC) JROTC for providing the color guard for our ceremony at the WWII Memorial, as well as the Air Force Memorial, which opened specifically for our Honor Flight Chicago mission.
Finally, thank you to Arlington National Cemetery and the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. With our traditional final stop – the Udvar-Hazy Center – closed, ANC was gracious enough to allow all six of our buses to visit the Tomb at one time. After viewing the Changing of the Guard, Tomb Guard Tristan came out and held a Q&A with our Veterans for close to 15 minutes.
All told, three Korean War and 105 Vietnam War veterans experienced this unique and special itinerary before yet another tremendous Welcome Home of a Lifetime upon our return to Midway.
2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the Honor Flight movement and the 17th season for Honor Flight Chicago. We are already planning for Season 18 next spring. We will see you then!
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
“If your mission yesterday was to put a tear in the eye of an old GI, Mission Accomplished. The whole day and especially the celebration at Midway was totally overwhelming. Thank you and the whole Honor Flight Chicago crew. You guys are the BEST!!!”
— Vietnam Veteran Jack Dolan
“It was a fantastic day. It’s a huge logistics effort, all the volunteers were great. My every need was taken care of. I’m not used to that. The Changing of the Guard and visiting the Memorials were memorable. I must have gotten 50 pieces of mail! My wife and I are sitting down to go through them all. I can’t thank you enough.”
— Vietnam Veteran Lawrence Studer
“I was surprised about the Mail Call and I couldn’t believe all the people at DC and Midway. You guys really did a tremendous job. I’ve seen all the memorials before, but this was so much more special.”
— Vietnam Veteran Peter Biancalana
“It was unreal to me, like a beautiful dream. I can’t put it into words. I just couldn’t believe what went on.”
— Vietnam Veteran Frank Gawel
