What To Expect

AIRPORT DEPARTURE – LOUISVILLE, KY

The morning begins with the registration and check-in process at the ticket counter. All Veterans will go through the processing line, checking your name off, issuing you a shirt to wear, and matching you up with your guardian.

Prior to going through security, we will have a pre-flight briefing by the mission director. The director will brief the Veterans, guardians, and volunteers about the day ahead. We then move forward through TSA and then board the plane that is destined for Washington, D.C.

During the flight, all the Veterans and guardians can rest up a bit from that early morning arrival at Louisville and get their second wind as we land at Reagan National Airport to a warm welcome.

ARRIVAL WASHINGTON DC – REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

As all the Veterans, guardians and Honor Flight Bluegrass staff disembark the plane, we will board our charted buses. Each bus will be assigned a color, RED, WHITE, BLUE, or GREEN, which matches your lanyard/name tag.

We provide lunch, snacks throughout the day, and dinner. Water is always available.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

The World War II Memorial honors the service of over 16 million service members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the support of millions on the home front, and the sacrifice of 405,399 Americans who gave their life. This memorial pays tribute to the “Greatest Generation”.

KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL

Dedicated in 1995, its Wall of Remembrance and 19 stainless steel statues commemorate the sacrifices of the millions of Americans and allied partners who fought during the Korean War.

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

It is here that we pay solemn respect to those 58,000+ service members who fell during these combat operations or are still listed as missing in action. There are three parts to this memorial, the Wall, the Three Servicemen Memorial, and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

This is the final resting place for more than 400,000 people from the United States and 11 other countries, buried there since the 1860s. Honor Flight Bluegrass Veterans, guardians, and staff have the distinct honor and privilege of visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witnessing the Changing of the Guard.

MARINE CORPS WAR MEMORIAL

Also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, this memorial is dedicated to all U.S. Marine Corps personnel who died in the defense of the United States since 1775. The memorial was inspired by the iconic 1945 photograph of six Marines raising a U.S. Flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION

Our Welcome Home will have an impact on the Veterans in several way. For World War II Veterans, it’s one last hoorah! For the Korean War Veterans, it’s a chance to recognize the “Forgotten War” Veterans and show them the love they deserve. For our Vietnam Veterans, the welcome home for them is really the first time they are recognized for their service and sacrifices, when so many in our nation turned their backs on them.