Can my wife (husband) go with me?
No. At the present time, we have a large group of veterans on our waiting list and an ever-increasing number who will apply this year. It is doubtful that we will get to every deserving veteran in time. Many of our veterans have passed away while patiently waiting their turn. Hundreds more will not live long enough to visit their precious memorials. Imagine how long the waiting list would be if we added non-veteran spouses to our waiting list. The only spouses who are permitted to go are those who are veterans themselves.
I am the widow of a military veteran. Can I go?
Sadly, the answer is no. Again, we simply do not have the resources, funding, or seating available to transport all the veterans who are presently on our waiting list. Adding spouses and widows simply isn’t an option for our program at this time.
How much does it cost? How much money do I need to bring?
There is NO COST for our veterans. They fly free of charge. You do not need to bring any money unless you intend to purchase souvenirs.
Can my son, daughter, grandson, etc. go as a Guardian?
Yes, under certain circumstances. Our top priority is the safe travel of all veterans. A normal ratio is 8 veterans to 3 guardians. Who will, or will not serve as a guardian, and how many guardians will be needed, is the sole responsibility of the Program Director. That decision is based on many factors, such as:
- How many disabled veterans are scheduled to go?
- Of the disabled veterans going, how many will have to be physically assisted getting on and off the bus?
- Which Guardian applicants are the most qualified? Medically trained, active-duty military personnel and veterans who have previously participated in a flight are given top priority and serve as leadership members. The Guardian applicants physically capable of assisting in the lifting of veterans are also a top priority. Once the director feels enough of those positions have been filled, other applicants are then considered. Again, these decisions rest solely with the Program Director.
Can I make donations to Honor Flight?
Honor Flight Tallahassee gratefully accepts donations from anyone except veterans who are scheduled to go on our next flight. We feel that our veterans have given enough. This is our way of saying thank you. Any veteran can give to Honor Flight Tallahassee after going on one of our flights.
How do you decide which veterans get to go?
Veterans are flown on a “first-come, first-served basis.” Within the applicants, the top priority is currently given to World War II veterans and all other veterans with terminal illness. Our second priority is to Korean War veterans and then Vietnam War veterans. All Veterans and Guardians must be medically cleared by the Honor Flight Medical Review committee to go on any flight.
How are you funded?
Honor Flight Tallahassee is 100% funded by donations. Our funding comes primarily from individuals who recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans and want them to see their memorial before it’s too late. Other significant contributors have been fraternal organizations like local city and county governments, the American Legion, VFW, Am Vets, DAV, MOPH, Posts, Moose, Elks, Rotary, Kiwanis, and chapters or other organizations, as well as various corporations on a local level.
What if the veteran is on oxygen or needs a wheelchair?
WHEELCHAIRS — About 30% of the veterans we have transported were in need of a wheelchair. Our deluxe motor coaches are ordered based upon this fact. Many of our coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts. If there is a possibility that a veteran may need a wheelchair during one of our trips, Honor Flight Tallahassee will provide one. Unfortunately, motorized personal vehicles cannot make the flight.
OXYGEN — If the veteran requires oxygen, a prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the veteran’s healthcare provider, identifying the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (2-3 liters per minute). Veterans must attempt to provide their own FAA-approved oxygen concentrator for the flight; however, Honor Flight will work to provide a FAA-approved oxygen concentrator for use during the trip if local oxygen equipment is not available. We also provide oxygen cylinders to be used at the memorials. If an overnight stay in the D.C. area is required, we will provide an overnight concentrator for use in the hotel room. Veterans on oxygen are required to have oxygen cylinders available from their home to the departure airport and also on the return from their local airport back to their homes. No oxygen cylinders are permitted to be used on the aircraft. If the veteran requires oxygen during the trip, please call us at 1-888-881-1566 to discuss arrangements.
Are terminally ill veterans given any special priority?
YES! Such veterans go to the top of the list for the next flight departing to Washington D.C. if they are medically approved for the flight by the Medical Review Committee. This includes all veterans from all wars.
Who is in charge of the program?
Throughout the United States, there are several programs that operate in conjunction with Honor Flight Network. This governing body of the Honor Flight Network establishes general protocols, policies, credentialing, maintains a national website, and oversight of several programs.
Honor Flight Tallahassee is an independent hub of the Honor Flight Network and has its own Board of Trustees, protocols, policies, credentialing, and website. All decisions regarding Honor Flight Tallahassee are made locally by the Board of Trustees of Honor Flight Tallahassee.
Our mailing address is:
Honor Flight Tallahassee
PO Box 12033
Tallahassee, FL 32317
How do veterans in wheelchairs travel around Washington D.C.?
Honor Flight Tallahassee carries several wheelchairs on each flight for veterans who need them. The buses are selected for their ability to store and carry wheelchairs as needed. Guardians are provided to push the veteran’s wheelchair in Washington, D.C.
How do I get on the list to be considered for the next flight?
If you are a veteran from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or a terminally ill veteran from any war, you need to fill out a veteran application and send it into Honor Flight Tallahassee for consideration. While there is no guarantee of acceptance, we try to fly every veteran possible. If a veteran does not get on the next immediate flight, Honor Flight Tallahassee keeps veteran applications on file for the next scheduled flight the following year.