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May Honor Flight Credits Founder

Honor Flight Northeast Indiana (HFNEI) will make its 20th flight to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, May 25th.

This flight isn’t solely about the 83 deserving Veterans who are scheduled to participate. Flight #20 is also dedicated to Laura Carrico, the founder of Honor Flight Northeast Indiana. It has been affectionately dubbed the “Because of Laura” flight and will pay tribute to Laura and the original five board members, who with her leadership, brought about the first flight on May 13, 2009. Since then, 1300 Veterans have traveled to Washington D.C. to reflect at the memorials built in their honor. There are several surprises in store for Laura and her board.

Currently Flight #20 includes 29 WWII, 53 Korean and one Viet Nam Veteran for a total of 83 Veterans, one of which is 96 years old. The first flight for the hub in 2009 escorted 27 Veterans.

The veterans and volunteer guardians will gather at the 122nd Air National Guard Fighter Wing at 6:00 a.m. with take-off projected to be at 8:30 a.m. Returning home, the community is encouraged to patriotically welcome the veterans in the Main Terminal of the Fort Wayne International Airport the evening of May 25. Return time is tentative, but expected to be at approximately 8:30 p.m. More information regarding the public’s participation and return timing will be shared on the group’s Facebook page at HFNEI.

95% of all donations go directly towards the veterans’ trips. Honor Flight NE Indiana, Inc. is a volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. It is Honor Flight Northeast Indiana’s mission to act quickly to serve those who would still like to have the opportunity to see this memorial that was built in their honor before it is too late.

If media are interested in joining us at the 122 FW on May 25, please RSVP with MSgt Darin Hubble, 122nd FW Public Affairs Superintendent at darin.l.hubble.mil@mail.mil or 260-478-3314. Names, date of birth and driver’s license numbers will be needed for security purposes.

*Honor Flight Northeast Indiana Inc. is not endorsed or funded by the Indiana Air National Guard.