How to sign up for an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight for veterans

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will kick off our 2016 flight season with our first flight on April 18. Three subsequent flights will take place on May 18, Sept. 20, and Oct. 18. That last flight in October will be our 26th since we began flying as an official hub of the Honor Flight Network. To date we have escorted 1,880 veterans and their guardians.

We could not do what we do without the overwhelming support of individuals, groups and corporations. Your support is the lifeblood of this organization. On behalf of the veterans we serve, the board of directors and volunteers would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We also thank the veterans who selflessly donned the uniform and stood in defense of the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today. Your willingness to serve and sacrifice is why what we do what we do.

We want to try and clear up some confusion on the application process. Veterans are selected for flights on a 'first come, first served” basis, which is based on our following priorities:

1. Medical condition or terminal illness requiring an expedited flight (regardless of when the veteran served).

2. World War II-era veterans.

3. Korea-era veterans.

4. Vietnam-era veterans.

You do not have to have served in combat or have been deployed overseas in order to qualify for an Honor Flight. The only requirement is that you served during those times.

If you are a veteran interested in signing up to go on a flight, we urge you to do so as soon as you can. We do have a waiting list, and when your application is received, you will be added to that list.

Building these flights is a very involved process that can take months. It is critical that we have your application on file in case veterans cancel or become unable to make the flight,

Please go to our website: eihonorflight.org, and download a veteran's application. Fill it out completely and return it to us so we can add you to our waiting list. It is critical that you fill out the application completely. Incomplete information causes delays in processing.

When you are selected for a flight, you will be notified by mail, but also please understand that it could be a while before you fly. Unfortunately we get a lot of email requests from veterans wanting to know if they can make the next flight and we have to advise them it is not possible.

We want to make you aware of our process and how it works in order to clear up any confusion. We guarantee that if you are selected and you make the flight, it will be a memory of a lifetime.

Many a veteran came home after serving their country, resumed their life, and never heard a, 'thank you for your service.” This is our way to do just that. To let you know that your service was appreciated, and that this country owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to you and your fellow men and women who served.

Come join us on a future Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. Sign up now. EIHF wants you! If you have questions, please feel free to email us at: easterniowahonorflight@gmail.com

' George Rickey is a member of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight board of directors.