The Old Glory Honor Flight was founded in 2009 by a dedicated group of volunteers in Appleton, Wisconsin. As part of the National Honor Flight Network, this one-day mission flies local veterans who served prior to May 7, 1975, to Washington, D.C., where they are honored and appreciated for their service.
Each Old Glory Honor Flight is provided completely free of charge to the veterans we serve—our heartfelt way of saying “Thank You” for their service and sacrifice. Every detail of the trip is carefully planned with veterans’ safety, comfort, and enjoyment in mind. Flights are supported by trained guardian escorts, a volunteer medical team, professional photographers, and coordinated assistance from organizations such as the D.C. Park Police—all working together to create a truly unforgettable “red-carpet” experience.
We typically organize around five Old Glory Honor Flights each year, bringing approximately 100 veterans on each mission to visit the memorials built in their honor. Two flights are held each spring, one during the summer at EAA’s AirVenture Salute to Veterans Day (a special mission dedicated to Vietnam Veterans), and two more in the fall, depending on available funding. Because we operate from a waitlist, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you’d like to be part of an upcoming Old Glory Honor Flight.
If you served on active duty in any branch of the U.S. military between December 7, 1941, and May 7, 1975, you qualify for an Old Glory Honor Flight. We accept new applications year-round and are always excited to meet new veterans!
Our flights are available to veterans from Northeast Wisconsin, including the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago. If you live outside those areas, you can still take part in an honor flight—you’ll just need to find your local hub on the National Honor Flight Network website.
Please note: We do not accept surprise applications. If you are assisting a veteran with an application, they need to be fully aware that you are applying on their behalf.
Once we receive your application, we’ll add you to our waitlist. When it’s your turn to fly, we’ll contact you directly with trip details. Wait times vary, but most veterans can expect to wait about 12–18 months. Veterans with a terminal illness receive top priority and move to the front of the list.
We also maintain a waitlist for guardians. If a family member or friend plans to serve as your guardian, they should apply around the same time you do. We’ll do our best to pair you together, but due to demand, we can’t guarantee it. Please note that spouses and significant others cannot serve as guardians (see our FAQs for details).
All passengers must have a REAL ID or valid passport to board the flight. Please visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website to learn more about REAL ID requirements.
Veterans are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. We currently accept applications from all eligible veterans who served on active duty prior to May 7, 1975. Top priority is given to World War II and Korean War veterans, as well as veterans of any era with a terminal illness. Applications are processed in the order they’re received. We’ll contact you about six weeks before your flight with trip details.
There is no cost for eligible veterans—the trip is our way of saying “thank you” for your service. You don’t need to bring any money unless you plan to buy souvenirs.
We understand that many veterans would like to share this experience with their spouse or significant other. However, due to our mission structure and limited seating, only eligible veterans may travel on the flight. The only way your spouse or significant other can join your mission is if they also qualify to participate as a veteran.
Possibly. We do our best to maximize the number of veterans on each mission, so there are a limited number of guardian spots available. Family members are welcome to apply, but we can’t guarantee placement. If selected, the current guardian fee is $500. Guardians must attend a mandatory training session and assist other veterans throughout the trip, not just their own family member. To be considered, your guardian should complete our guardian application at or around the same time you complete our veteran application.
Yes. Terminally ill veterans receive top priority and are placed at the front of our waitlist for the next available flight to Washington, D.C. We ask that you provide a note from your physician and contact us to discuss the best course of action with our medical coordinator.
Wheelchairs: We provide wheelchairs for any veteran who needs one during the trip. Each veteran who uses a wheelchair will be paired with a trained guardian escort to ensure comfort and safety throughout the day. Our motor coaches are also equipped with wheelchair lifts as needed.
Oxygen: If you require oxygen, your healthcare provider must supply a prescription specifying the delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency (as needed or continuous), and flow rate (typically 2–3 liters per minute). You’ll need to arrange for an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator for use on the plane—your regular oxygen supplier should be able to provide one for rent. We’ll provide oxygen cylinders for use while in Washington, D.C. Please note that oxygen cylinders cannot be used on the aircraft. Veterans who need oxygen are required to have cylinders available for travel to and from the airport. If you require oxygen during the trip, please contact us to discuss arrangements.
Once your application is received and processed, the typical wait time is 12-18 months before your scheduled flight. This timeline allows us to coordinate logistics, secure funding, and ensure each mission provides the meaningful experience our veterans deserve.
Remember that World War II and Korean War veterans, as well as veterans of any era with a terminal illness, receive top priority and may fly sooner. We’ll contact you approximately six weeks before your flight with specific trip details and preparation information.
