News : Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Announces 57th Flight to Washington, D.C.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Announces 57th Flight to Washington, D.C.

Flight to include nearly 90 veterans from across Eastern Iowa

On Tuesday, October 14, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch Flight #57 sponsored by the Corvette Club of Cedar Rapids. Since beginning operations in 2009, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight has transported thousands of veterans and their guardians to Washington, D.C. This trip will include visits to the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath dedication.

Please see the list below including veterans from our area scheduled to board the flight.

Veterans scheduled to board Flight 57:

(First Name, Last Name, City)

Dennis Anderson Haverhill

Terry Barger Cedar Rapids

John Becker Cedar Rapids

John Beltz Cedar Rapids

John Berthot Mount Vernon

Janean Blake Marion

Gayland Blakley Iowa City

William Brown Solon

Randy Busch Marion

Roger Calvert Vinton

David Campbell Fort Madison

Gary Carstens Charles City

Lynne Caslavka North Liberty

Jeffrey Chesick Marshalltown

Donald Clubb Marshalltown

Stephen Colcord Tipton

Daniel Conway Lansing

Gerald Cunningham Marion

Kerry Deeter Grinnell

Richard Donohoe Iowa City

Robert Dray Fairfax

Michael Duggan Fairfax

Karla Elm Cedar Rapids

Patrick Fitzgerald Fairfax

Rex Flansburg Riverside

Richard Foels Oskaloosa

Philip Foster Cedar Rapids

Edward Gehl Anamosa

Erica Goodknight Ackley

Dale Hanna Cedar Rapids

Michael Hatcher Cedar Rapids

Regina Hatcher Cedar Rapids

Jeffery Hilligoss Lost Nation

Carman Irelan Urbana

Robert Irelan Urbana

Francis Janaszak Hiawatha

Larry Johnson Springville

Douglas Jungling Cedar Falls

Roger Knipper Monticello

Dennis Krueger Riverside

Michael Kuennen Palo

Glenn Larson Decorah

Kenneth Larson Decorah

Allen Lehrman Coralville

James Leiser Jr. Cedar Rapids

David Lenoch Iowa city

Donald Leonhart Cedar Rapids

Tonette Lewis Cedar Rapids

Jerome Lindner Monticello

Steven Lyon West Point

Richard Manning Cedar Rapids

Larry Marek Riverside

Gordon Martin Lisbon

Pamela Martin Lisbon

Linda Maxa Fairfax

Howard McDermott Monticello

James McGuire Guttenburg

Mitchell Miles Cedar Rapids

Jim Neal Center Point

Kevin Nebergall Cedar Rapids

Robert Nolan Morning Sun

Fred Norris Cedar Rapids

Steven Odegaard Hiawatha

Andrew O'Neill Iowa City

John O'Neill Lansing

Carl Plaisted Tipton

Mark Prowant Robins

Shirley Putz Manchester

Timothy Rudd Manchester

Gordon Russell Oxford

Leo Salat Cedar Rapids

Rex Saunders Marengo

Richard Schultz Cedar Rapids

William Serbousek Cedar Rapids

James Snyder Cedar Rapids

Larry Snyder Rowley

Harvey Spomer Williamsburg

Thomas Thompson Marion

Bernard Urbain Farley

Gerald Vaske Tama

Paul Welch Jr Saint Anthony

John Wickstrom Ankeny

Michael Williams Keswick

Robert Williams Red Oak

Kenneth Willie Manchester

Gary Winslow Keosauqua

Bruce Young Swisher

Robert Zvacek Cedar Rapids

Robert Zwirlein Monona

"We invite the community to join us in giving our heroes the welcome home they deserve," said Eastern Iowa Honor Flight President Lynette Voss. "This celebration is a meaningful way to honor their service and sacrifices. Your support will make this homecoming truly special!"

Veterans will begin reporting to the Eastern Iowa Airport at 5:15 a.m. on flight day, with an estimated departure time of 7:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend the Welcome Home celebration at the Eastern Iowa Airport, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature a military band, a flag line, local police and fire department participation, and an emotional homecoming. The flight is scheduled to return to Cedar Rapids around 9 p.m. Parking in both the long-term and short-term lots is free with a parking pass, which can be picked up at the information booth inside the terminal.

Flight #57 is named in honor of the Corvette Club of Cedar Rapids for their generous contribution, which made this flight possible. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is an all-volunteer organization that does not receive government funding. To support this mission through a donation, please visit www.eihonorflight.org. Donations can be made via check by submitting a donation form or online through PayPal. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

The Honor Flight Network is closely monitoring the government shutdown as is relevant to our visit and continues to keep us updated as new information becomes available. At this point, the memorials we are scheduled to visit will be opened to Honor Flights. We will continue to communicate any changes through Facebook, our website eihonorflight.org and via email to flight participants.

About the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight

The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, dedicated to honoring and paying tribute to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is an official hub of the Honor Flight Network™, accepting applications from veterans in Benton, Iowa, Jasper, Jones, Johnson, Linn, Marshall, South Tama, Poweshiek, and Washington counties. Its goal is to provide every eligible veteran with the opportunity to participate.

All Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard veterans who served during wartime or peacetime, whether overseas or stateside, are encouraged to apply. Priority is given to World War II and Korean War veterans, as well as those with catastrophic illnesses. The next priority is given to Vietnam War veterans, followed by veterans of other conflicts. Veterans do not need to have served in combat to be eligible. Due to a large waiting list, applicants should apply only once; applications will be kept on file in the order they are received.

For additional information about the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, contact:

Lynette Voss Board President eihf.president@gmail.com