MARION, Ill. (KFVS) – A large celebration is planned to welcome the returning veterans of the 13th Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.
The veterans will return home after their trip to Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 10.
According to the organizers of the celebration, 89 veterans will participate in the Honor Flight along with their guardians.
The public is invited to welcome them with a hero’s celebration at Veterans Airport in Marion starting at 5 p.m.
Participants are asked to bring lawn chairs, welcome banners and flags, and to wear patriotic clothing.
Several food trucks are scheduled to participate, including Cone to Table, Crazy Asian Eats, Chef Adam, Flippin Crepe, Fry Guy, The Caribbean Hut, TasTea Bowls & Treats and American Ice Cream.
There will also be a kids’ zone and live music from the Daniel Brothers Band and Whiskey and Rust.
Veterans who have participated in previous Honor Flights are also encouraged to wear their red shirts and will have VIP access to the Welcome Home Celebration.
The welcoming ceremony begins at 8:45 p.m. and lasts until all veterans have passed the Freedom Path at the airport terminal.
“We hope everyone will come to the airport and help us welcome our veterans home. We want veterans to see a sea of red, white and blue when they get off the plane,” said Welcome Home organizer Deborah Hogg in a released statement.
Because parking is limited on airport property, T-Street Rides, Shawnee Mass Transit District and Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois will provide free park-and-ride transportation services. Visitors should park at Sam’s Club and Cornerstone Church in Marion. Buses will depart these off-site parking areas approximately every 20 minutes throughout the event, beginning at 5 p.m.
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is a nonprofit hub of the Honor Flight network. All costs for this one-day outing for veterans are covered by Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois, including airfare, ground transportation, meals and beverages. The outing is completely free for the veterans.
Organizers say the program is run entirely by volunteers and that 96.5 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to veterans.
Click here to learn more about the Honor Flight program or to apply to become a guardian, volunteer or Honor Flight veteran.
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