Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Nothing in life is free. What’s the catch?

There is no catch, we promise. As a nation, it took us almost 60 years to build a memorial to your service and sacrifice during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The least that we can do is to bring you to Washington DC to see the memorials that were built in your honor. It is our small way of saying thank you for saving the world from tyranny.

Q: Will health issues prevent a veteran from flying?

Many, if not most, of our veterans will need to use a wheelchair for all or a good portion of the day, and we have enough wheelchairs and support personnel to accommodate every veteran on each flight. We travel through Washington D.C. in luxury buses that have wheelchair lifts available, if needed. We also fly veterans who require the use of oxygen. Any veteran requiring oxygen must submit a prescription from the doctor for oxygen use while on the trip.

Q: What if I require a wheelchair or oxygen?

WHEELCHAIR - Wheelchairs are available for use by the veterans throughout the day. Even veterans who have never sat in a wheelchair before welcome the chance to take a rest during a portion of the day. We recognize that this day of honor is a very long day.

OXYGEN – If a veteran requires oxygen, their health care provider must supply a prescription for it which identifies the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (liters per minute). Honor Flight will provide the veteran with the oxygen concentrator for use as prescribed for the day.

Q: I really wanted to go but now I am just too old.

You are in good company then since the average age of our veteran is 89.5. On each trip, we have veterans who can’t see, veterans who can’t hear (most), and veterans who can’t walk. Yet after the trip, the veterans almost always tell us that their day with Blue Ridge Honor Flight was by far one of the best days of their lives.

Q: How is someone selected to go on a flight?

Veterans fill out an online Veteran Application, which includes a Medical form. Once we receive and review the completed application, our Flight Team works to invite our veterans to fly for their Day of Honor. Veterans are generally called and/or emailed for a specific flight about 4 to 6 weeks before the flight date.

Q: How much does it cost? Who pays for the trip?

Our veterans have already given so much through their service to our country. All costs associated with the veteran’s trip, including airfare to and from Washington DC, are covered by Honor Flight. Guardians pay $500 each for the honor of escorting a Hero to Washington DC. Flights are funded by donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, schools, military organizations, and other fraternal organizations who wish to be an important part of honoring these heroes and who recognize the urgent need to fly our veterans to see their memorial. No funding is received from the government.

Q: Can another family member fly with my mom/dad as an escort or “Guardian”?

GUARDIANS are picked by our Flight Selection Team based on a number of factors. The number of guardians varies depending on the needs of the veterans on that particular flight. Guardians must be at least 18 and no more than 70 years of age and be able to easily lift 100 pounds, since they will be assisting veterans into and out of wheelchairs, up and down stairs, etc. Guardians pay for their own trip and must attend a MANDATORY training session.

Important Note: Family members of veterans are invited to apply to be part of our Guardian team. However, we are unable to guarantee they will be invited on the flight. When filling out a Guardian Application, it is important that you indicate on the Guardian Application the name of the veteran you wish to fly with. Each veteran is only allowed one guardian.

Q: How can I find out more information on upcoming flights and the Homecoming?

Please check our website and Facebook page periodically for flight updates. The general public is always invited to welcome our returning heroes home the evening of the flight. We do not recommend that you join us in the AM since you must have a ticket in order to clear security.

Q: Can we meet in DC and ride on the bus?

We may have a limited number of extra seats available. If you would like a lunch, the cost is $15.00. Please contact us at least 10 days prior to the flight date so we can ensure we have adequate seats available. Also, we will need the name(s) of the veterans you will be joining.