As each year passes by, inspiring local veterans continues to be the goal for one regional organization.

Honor Flight of Northeast Tennessee recently announced they’ll start the 2018 year off with a bang by hosting a breakfast and car show fundraiser on Saturday, March 3, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Church of Christ, located off Oakland Avenue in Johnson City.

Officials from the organization thanked the church for offering their area as a host site for the event, and regularly allows the group to use their facility for fundraisers.

Throughout the day, patrons will be able to either dine in or take out breakfast foods with many proceeds going to benefit the Honor Flight’s missions for armed service members.

Operating as a 501(c)3 organization, Honor Flight, which services Northeast Tennessee and the outskirts of Southwest Virginia, uses proceeds raised over the year to take veterans to Washington, D.C., to view the monuments built in their honor as a way to show respect for their time and sacrifice for the country.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of local veterans make it all worthwhile, according to director Edie Lowry.

Honor Flight capped off the 2017 season by participating in their 11th “mission” to Washington, which saw several veterans make their way to the nation’s capital.

Even though each mission sees different results, the overall goal remains the same, Lowry said.

“One veteran called me after our recent trip and said it changed his world,” she told the Elizabethton Star. “He mentioned he can wear his Vietnam War hat now and talk about the experience. We want our veterans to enjoy this experience and know we love and respect them for all they’ve done for our country.”

The program is open to all veterans, but Lowry added that top priority goes to WWII, Korean War and terminally ill veterans.

For more information on how to receive veteran or guardian applications, the fundraising event or general information about the organization, visit www.honorflightnetn.org or call (423) 330-6189.