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Fourteen members of the Columbus Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1127 will participate in the May 2026 Honor Flight arranged by Honor Flight of Austin, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by private companies, banks, and individuals. The group will leave for Austin on May 15.
The Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization comprised of independent hubs working together to achieve the Honor Flight mission. To reach this common goal, the group has the privilege of showing the nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. Honored veterans always travel free of charge, thanks to generous donations to our organization.
While initially focused solely on America’s World War II era veterans, Honor Flight Network has expanded its mission to include those who served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War eras. The Honor Flight TLC program also honors veterans of any service era who are critically ill.
In order to maximize the number of American veterans served by the organization, each eligible veteran may only be honored on a single Honor Flight trip.
“It has been honoring veterans from central Texas, flying 3,677 vets on 103 flights, over the past 13 years. It generally flies about 50 vets on a commercial Southwest Airline six times each year, for a 36-hour adventure,” said Columbus’ Bob Lowe.
Honor Flight was created with a simple, yet powerful , mission – honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. The Honor Fl ight Network was co-founded by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse.
Whi le init ia l ly focused only on America’s World War II veterans, Honor Flight Network now also includes those who served in the military during the Korean and Vietnam War eras, along with veterans of any service era who are critically ill.
Transporting approximately 22,500 veterans annually, Honor Flight Network has flown over 300,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. since its inception.
All expenses are covered for the vet which includes transportation from Austin to Washington DC and back, all meals and accommodations while in Washington, and visits to the War Memor ials. Vets who have experienced this journey return with expressions of appreciation and cherished memories.
“On this trip the Columbus group intends to locate on the Vietnam Wall the names of the five Colorado County soldiers who were killed in action during the Vietnam War and pay them special recognition,” Lowe said. “Many of our group who served in combat infantry units lost fellow GIs and will search for them as well.”
Honor Flight Austin has a page on Facebook that posts photos as the trip takes place, May 1516 of this month.
