HONOR FLIGHT OF THE QUAD CITIES INC

DAVENPORT, Iowa, 52806-4243 United States

Mission Statement

In 2008, The Quad Cities formed a local chapter of the Honor Flight Network, called Honor Flight of the Quad Cities (HFQC). The purpose of HFQC is to fly America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their sacrifices. Top priority is given to WWII, Korean War Era, Vietnam Veterans or any veterans with a terminal illness. The intention is to honor our local and regional heroes who were selfless in their military duty with a free trip to visit their memorials. Veterans within a 75 mile radius of the Quad Cities are encouraged to apply. This radius can be extended if no Hub is in there area. The program operates on donations from organizations and individuals. Volunteers of all kinds plan and coordinate the flight events, and special guardians are trained to help escort the veterans on flight days. Honor Flight of the Quad Cities is a 100% volunteer organization.

About This Cause

It all started at Ridgecrest Village in Davenport when William Shore, a resident WWII Veteran asked if Honor Flight was a credible organization. So we called the national office in Springfield, Ohio. Founder Earl Morse said “We have just flown 400 veterans from around the country to Washington D.C. that weekend.” Senator Bob Dole also was involved. We had 40+ WWII Vets at Ridgecrest that wanted to go. Morse said “If they complete the application, they will go on the waiting list (8,000 so far). If you want them to go sooner, start your own Honor Flight Hub.” Thus Honor Flight of the Quad Cities was founded! We started flying America’s WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of these heroes since November 1, 2008. Top priority continues to be given to veterans of WWII service, and any veterans with a terminal illness who wish to visit their memorial. We also fly Korean Veterans and of November 11, 2015 we have started accepting applications from Vietnam Veterans. A comfortable chartered 737 aircraft from Sun Country leaves at 7 am and returns at 10 pm. The nonstop flight departs early in the morning from the Quad City International Airport and flies to Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C., returning later that evening. Three modern motor coach busses skillfully transport veterans and their Guardians to the Udvar-Hazy Center Air & Space Museum (Smithsonian), WWII Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Iwo Jima, the Women’s Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Abraham Lincoln Monument. Each bus has a lift for bringing wheelchair dependent veterans on board, plus a convenient restroom. The intention is to honor as many of our local and regional heroes who were selfless in their military duty, with a free trip to visit their memorial. Veterans from throughout a 75 mile radius are encouraged to apply for the trip. We do however accept applications from areas further away if there is not a hub close by. The program operates 100% on donations from organizations and individuals. Volunteers of all kinds are needed to help coordinate the flight event, and special Guardians are trained to help escort the veterans the day of the flight. We currently have over 300 Guardians who are willing to pay $400 for the honor of escorting our veteran heroes. We cannot and will not fly without having 100% of the cost of the flight paid for.

HONOR FLIGHT OF THE QUAD CITIES INC
4130 Northwest Blvd
DAVENPORT, Iowa 52806-4243
United States
Phone 563-388-3592
Unique Identifier 262958726