VETERAN FAQS

  • There is no catch, we promise. As a nation, our freedoms have been guaranteed by the devoted service and sacrifice of our Veterans. This is our chance to finally say a proper ‘Thank you’ to our most treasured Veterans. Veterans travel for free – their expenses are paid through donations to Honor Flight Philadelphia! There is no charge to Veterans for their “Day of Honor”.

  • We understand your reluctance to be called a hero, but anyone who was drafted or volunteered to serve our country is a hero to us. We honor those that did not return as part of the Honor Flight Tour. We view the Changing of the Guard at Arlington and often are privileged to lay the wreath in a very touching ceremony sponsored by the Old Guard, protectors of the Tomb. Please join us to honor those who did not return as well as those of you that did. You are all heroes in our eyes!

  • Veterans who submit an application are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Within the applicants, top priority is given to WWII Veterans (our most senior heroes) and any Veterans with terminal illnesses. At this time, we are also taking Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans on a space available basis.

  • YES! Any terminally ill Veteran is given top priority for the next Honor Flight Philadelphia trip to Washington, DC.

  • We are unable to take Veterans to see the Memorials again. We need to reserve the limited space and donated funds for Veterans who have not seen the Memorials.

  • Schedules vary from year to year, but we generally have two trips per year — one in spring and one in fall.

  • No. Honor Flight Philadelphia is very prepared; we provide a wheelchair for every Veteran for the duration of the trip. In addition, our deluxe motor coaches are equipped with lifts (and a bathroom). If a Veteran is unable to ambulate the bus stairs or transfer from a wheelchair to a bus seat, please be sure to include this information on the application form. Veterans are encouraged to bring their personal cane or walker if they wish.

  • If a Veteran requires oxygen, a prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the Veteran’s health care provider, identifying the delivery method (i.e. mask or nasal canola), frequency (as needed or continuously), and the rate of delivery (e.g. 2-3 liters per minute). Veterans on oxygen are to bring enough oxygen cylinders to get them through the entire day to include travel time from their home to our departure point and from our arrival point back to their homes.

  • Yes. We travel with qualified Registered Nurses (RNs) on each bus. Additionally, some of our Guardians are medical professionals in our community.

  • No. It is the responsibility of Veterans and Guardians to secure transportation to and from the bus departure location. As appropriate, Bus Leaders can provide contact information to Veterans who live near each other so they can consolidate transportation at their own discretion.

  • Yes. We travel by chartered bus. The buses have a bathroom on board and a wheelchair lift. We depart from a predetermined location (may vary by trip) in the Philadelphia area. Each Veteran has a Guardian assigned to accompany him or her, with the solitary duties of assuring their enjoyment and safety. A box breakfast is served on the bus. Stops are scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery, the National World War II Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. We drive around the Iwo Jima Memorial and enjoy a boxed lunch at the Air Force Memorial. We return home to a Hero’s Welcome and a sit-down dinner.

  • No. While this is always a difficult and sometimes emotional question to answer, it is the policy of Honor Flight Philadelphia to exclude spouses unless they are also Veterans, even if they are willing and able to pay their own expenses. These trips are dedicated to our Veterans and with limited space; we must ensure that every available resource is allocated to their accommodation.

  • Yes. Family members are eligible to be Guardians if they are physically capable of assisting the Veteran during the entire trip, at least one generation younger than the veteran and not the spouse, have completed a Guardian Application and Covenant not to Sue, and have submitted a $150 check to cover the cost of their meals, charter bus seat, name tag, and Honor Flight Philadelphia T-shirt. Our TOP priority is the safe travel of ALL the Veterans. Our ratio is one Guardian for each Veteran. Being physically qualified means the person can push a wheelchair all day if needed or assisting in the lifting of a Veteran.

  • The most important rule of thumb is comfort. Comfortable walking shoes and clothing in layers is ideal. We will be traveling on the same bus throughout the day so any items not worn can be securely stored in the bus. Bus Leaders and Guardians will monitor local weather conditions and advise Veterans accordingly.

    Some Veterans have worn their military uniform and we encourage that if the uniform is appropriate for the expected weather and comfortable. We encourage all Veterans to wear a military cap that showcases their branch of service, field of battle, or military station. We also encourage Veterans to bring photographs, medals, or any memorabilia they would like to share with their Guardian or comrades on the trip.

  • Yes! Please make sure you have fresh batteries and film or available memory on the SD card. It also helps to practice with new cameras in advance of the trip so that you understand how they work well before you need them. Guardians will be happy to assist you.

  • The cost is FREE for everything. You do not need to bring any money, unless you intend to purchase souvenirs.

  • Yes. Honor Flight Philadelphia recognizes and respects the desire of our female Veterans to see their own Memorial and can arrange to have the bus stop at the base of Arlington Cemetery to drop off any women who wish to tour that site. However, it should be noted that Veterans who tour the Women’s Memorial will not see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There is not enough time to do both.

GUARDIAN FAQS

  • Our “Tour of Honor” would not be possible without the help of our Guardians. They are the most privileged of our volunteers because they will spend the most quality time with our heroes. Guardians must be at least one generation younger than the Veteran.

    Each Guardian is responsible for one Veteran from the moment they arrive at our departure location until they get in a vehicle to return home after our sit-down dinner. Guardians assist the Veterans with their individual needs to ensure the Veterans have a safe and memorable day. It is an emotionally fulfilling and rewarding experience to be able to escort our WWII and Korean War Heroes.

    Guardians are volunteers and we asked them to pay for their portion of the trip, $150. To fully prepare for the responsibility, they are required to complete a brief, but comprehensive training session prior to the scheduled trip.

  • Guardians play a significant role on our trips and are responsible for helping to ensure every Veteran has a safe and memorable experience. Duties include: physically assisting the Veterans at our point of departure and return, while traveling on the bus, and at the memorials. You may also remind them to take medications, ensure they are properly dressed for the weather and that they stay hydrated throughout the day.

  • Yes. To ensure that all donated monies are specifically dedicated to our Veterans, we ask that Guardians be responsible for paying their own travel expenses. The $150 check covers the cost of the meals, snacks, lanyard, T-shirt, and charter bus seat.

  • You will be assigned one Veteran for the day. Please note that while you will be assigned a specific Veteran, we ask all Guardians to be available to assist any Veteran at any time.

  • Yes. Your Bus Leader will ask you to call the Veteran the week before departure and introduce yourself, exchange cell phone numbers, and answer any last minute questions the Veteran may have. But you are also free to arrange a meeting in advance of the trip if this is mutually agreeable.

  • Take photos. While the Veterans are busy taking pictures of the memorials, it is wonderful to have the Guardians take photos of the Veteran throughout the day. Photos that show the Veterans enjoying the sites are the ones most cherished by family and friends.

    Engage. You will have the opportunity and privilege of hearing firsthand accounts of the war to end all wars! Ask questions as appropriate and listen. Some of our Veterans have fought in the Battle of the Bulge, survived Pearl Harbor, landed on the beaches of Normandy, stormed Iwo Jima, participated in the first engagement in the Korean War, the Battle of Osan, or proudly endured the Battle of Inchon a decisive battle in Korea and engaged in a multitude of notable and critical battles. The camaraderie of this trip will entice many to tell their stories.

    Speak with the spouse in advance of the trip. Many of our Veterans have not been separated from their spouses for quite some time. It’s nice to reassure beloved husbands and wives that the Veteran is in very capable hands.

  • Yes. All Guardians must attend a training presentation prior to the trip. A letter is sent out noting the date, time, and location of the presentation.

  • Yes. Family members are eligible to be Guardians if they are physically capable of assisting the Veteran during the entire trip, at least one generation younger than the Veteran and not the spouse, have completed a Guardian Application and Covenant not to Sue, and have submitted a $150 check to cover the cost of their meals, charter bus seat, name tag, and Honor Flight Philadelphia T-shirt. Our TOP priority is the safe travel of ALL the Veterans. Our ratio is one Guardian for each Veteran. Being physically qualified means the person can push a wheelchair all day if needed.

  • Honor Flight Philadelphia is part of the national Honor Flight Network (www.honorflight.org). While we, along with the other 100 plus regional hubs, accept the national guidance and utilize their non-financial resources, we operate our program independently and entirely on donated funds from individuals and businesses that recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices of Veterans and want them to see their memorials before it’s too late. As such, we hope you as an individual or any organization of which you are a member would consider this project worthy of your financial support. To donate funds, please send a check, made out to Honor Flight Philadelphia, P.O. Box 003, Broomall, PA 19008 or visit the “Donate” page of our website (CLICK HERE). Honor Flight Philadelphia is an all-volunteer, 501(c) 3 organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.

  • Honor Flight Philadelphia gratefully accepts donations from anyone EXCEPT our Veterans, as we believe our Veterans have given enough. To donate funds, please send a check, made out to Honor Flight Philadelphia, and mail to, P.O. Box 003, Broomall, PA 19008, or click here to make a donation online.