News : Eastern Iowa Honor Flight 50th flight named for WWII veteran Mike Wilson

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight announces 50th flight named for WWII veteran Mike Wilson Flight #50 to include 88 veterans and special guests

On Wednesday, May 1, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch Flight #50. Since the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began operations in 2009, 49 flights have transported 4,418 veterans, along with their guardians to Washington, DC. The trip entails visits to the WWII, Korean, Vietnam memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath dedication. With 88 veterans scheduled to board, the flight consists of (2) World War II, (11) Korea, (9) Korea/ Vietnam, and (66) Vietnam.

In addition to being a milestone, this flight is commemorative for WWII veteran and committed past board member Mike Wilson and his late wife Esther. As one of the first members of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight chapter, Mike has been devoted to the mission since day one. While the mission of this non-profit organization has always been to provide veterans with a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to visit monuments and memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice, the funds have not always been readily available. Mike and Esther have made multiple significant donations to ensure that each veteran has had the opportunity to see the memorials that stand in their honor.

"We are incredibly grateful to not only the sacrifice Mike has made for our country but also the Wilson's generosity to this organization," states Eastern Iowa Honor Flight President, Lynette Voss. "As a non-profit organization, we can say that we simply would not exist today without their generous contributions. In honor of his generosity and lifelong support of fellow veterans, the board voted unanimously to name the 50th flight after Mike Wilson." In his 99th year, his selflessness continues to shine as he was insistent on his late wife, Esther being added to the flight as well.

Additional honorable guests on the flight include all four previous EIHF Board Presidents and veterans Roger Uthof, Allen Steckl and Dick Bell. Veterans, including WWII veteran Mike Wilson, will begin reporting to the Eastern Iowa Airport at 5:45 a.m. on flight day with an estimated departure time of 7:15 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend the "Welcome Home" celebration at the Eastern Iowa Airport beginning at 7:30 p.m., which will involve a military band, flag line, local police and fire departments, and lots of emotions. 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 when you pick up a parking pass at the information booth in the terminal. Additional thanks Flight 50 to media sponsor CBS-2 Iowa's News Now for their coverage of this momentous event.

The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is an entirely volunteer organization that does not receive any government funding. To support this mission through a donation, please visit our website: www.eihonorflight.org.

Donations can be made via check by submitting a donation form or online via PayPal. All donations are greatly appreciated.

About the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization staffed entirely by volunteers dedicated to honor and pay tribute to WWII, Korean, Vietnam Era and other Veterans. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is an official hub of the Honor Flight Network™, allowing the acceptance of applications from veterans in Benton, Iowa, Jasper, Jones, Johnson, Linn, Marshall, South Tama, Poweshiek and Washington counties.

It is our goal to take every veteran that applies. All Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard veterans serving during war or peacetime, overseas or stateside are encouraged to apply. Priority is given to WWII and Korean War veterans, as well as those with catastrophic illness.

Next priority is given to Vietnam veterans followed by those from other conflicts. You are still eligible and encouraged to apply even if you did not serve in combat.

Due to the large waiting list, please apply only once. Your application will be kept on file in the order it was received. For additional information about the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, contact: Lynette Voss Board President eihf.president@gmail.com