A new year means new missions for the Honor Flight of Northeast Tennessee.
It is all about giving back, according to Edie Lowry, who operates the local branch of the Honor Flight. Based in Northeast Tennessee, Lowry added excitement is already building for 2017 with the organization already completing 10 missions involving local veterans.
“It is going to be a real exciting year,” Lowry said. “These missions never get old. We’re preparing for our tenth mission this year of transporting veterans to Washington, D.C.”
Northeast Tennessee’s Honor is part of the Honor Flight Network, a nationwide nonprofit organization created to honor American veterans by visiting Washington to take in their respective memorials along with other veterans and “guardians” who assist with the trips.
According to the Honor Flight website, over nearly 21,000 veterans have flown since 2015 and over 159,700 have taken part in the event since 2005.
Currently, Honor Flight of Northeast Tennessee is looking for veterans to take part in the two missions for this year — April 27-30 and October 12-15.
“I have three applications from World War II and that’s a little alarming,” Lowry said, adding the importance of having these events to honor WWII veterans.
Lowry began working with Honor Flight of Northeast Tennessee in 2012 and conducted her first mission that same year, transporting 22 veterans to Washington. Lowry operates out of Erwin but services Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.
Described as a “journey of a lifetime,” Lowry added Honor Flight is currently looking for WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans to take part in the upcoming trips to reflect their times of service. WWII will receive top priority for the missions.
The events are free of charge to veterans. However, if an individual wants to sign up as a guardian, the cost is $375 — covering hotel accommodations and other items needed for the trip.
“It’s such a great opportunity,” Lowry said. “We already have the guardians situated for our April trip but we’re definitely looking for anyone that would be interested in coming on our October mission.”
Lowry added she is encouraging the youth of the region to take part in upcoming events. Along with preparing the missions, Lowry added she is in the process of making her way to the area to speak with the Elizabethton ROTC programs to be involved in working with the veterans for their meet-and-greet events.
“I would love to get the younger generations involved,” she said. “Carter County is a big focus for us. It’s such a veteran-driven community and we appreciate their service. We want to use this as a way to get the younger generation involved and have a chance to be with our veterans.”
But the missions come with a little bit of a price. Operating as a nonproft, Honor Flight of Northeast Tennessee have organized four events this year for fundraising endeavors, including a special USO show December 9 that will include Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra impersonators.
“I’ve had a chance to see them, and they were wonderful,” Lowry said. “We have different events planned this year to help cover the costs of our missions.”
Honor Flight’s upcoming event for fundraising will be a special breakfast set March 4 at Central Church of Christ in Johnson City from 8 to 11 a.m.
Lowry indicted the breakfast is just for any type of monetary donation and features a delicately amount of food to choose from.
For more information, contact Lowry at (423) 330-6189 or visit the Honor Flight of North East Tennessee Facebook page online.