OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County women who served in the military during World War II, the Korean War or the Viet Nam War have the opportunity to take part in a special Honor Flight trip to the nation’s capital through the Albany area Patriot Flight program.
Patriot Flight is a hub of the National Honor Flight Network that serves the Albany area.
The May 14 flight is designated for women veterans from World War II through the Viet Nam War and is open to Oswego County residents.
The group will depart from Albany early the morning of May 14 and return to Albany late in the day.
Melody Burns, logistics director of the Capital District Patriot Flight Program, said the group will fly first to Baltimore, board a bus to Washington D.C., and visit the nation’s war memorials and monuments during the day.
They will board a bus back to Baltimore for dinner, and fly back to Albany arriving at approximately 11 p.m.
“The May 14 Mission, ‘Honoring Her Service,’ is a special event for all women veterans. This is only the second time an all-women veteran Honor Flight has been held,” said Burns. “We are honored to be able to share this special day with our women veterans, because ‘she served too!’”
Participation in the flight is free for women veterans who served between World War II and the Viet Nam War.
Flight guardians, who pay their own expenses, are also needed.
Gulf War women are encouraged to apply as flight guardians.
Donna Kestner, director of the Oswego County Veterans Service Agency, encourages women veterans to participate.
“I have attended the Honor Flight receptions returning to the Syracuse airport and it is very emotional to see what an impact this wonderful journey has had on each veteran,” said Kestner. “To have an all-female veterans flight is truly exciting. Even though they are returning to Albany, I would encourage the public to attend the reception to welcome them home. It is an incredible experience to witness their return.”
Oswego County women who would like to participate may contact Burns at 518-527-5663, email [email protected]
For information on Patriot Flight and Honor Flight visit http://patriotflight.org/ or www.honorflight.org/
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In the past, Honor Flight Hubs have included a mix of male/female veterans, however, Patriot Flight has taken it upon themselves to initiated the all-female flight. While a noble idea, they are finding it very difficult to fill the seats for their May 14 flight. Overstepping into other Honor Flight Hub areas only places an extra burden and expense on those that would like to participate, but would have to travel to Albany to do so. Being so far away, it will also deny family members the ability of being part of the sendoff and welcome home if it were conducted locally.