The article that follows is reprinted with permission of the American Legion. A four-hour marathon session kicked off the 107th Annual Convention of the NYS American Legion on Thursday, July 17 at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, formerly the Hotel Syracuse.  Highlighting the initial moments was a standing ovation for two centenarians from the Greatest Generation …

Matt Rizzo of North Syracuse was one of the “messenger boys” that day in 1953. Click the arrow below to hear him tell the story during his visit to Washington on Mission 23.

“As someone who had to keep my serving in Vietnam secret so that my mother would not get berating telephone calls from people. Then also hiding my homecoming after that service I was overwhelmed with emotion as a returning Honor Flight Honoree when I saw the Welcome Home Banner in the airport and all the …

I was stunned by the sheer number of volunteers, each trained for a specific job, every one of them pleasant, smiling, and caring. And the coordination with the tour buses, fire departments, food delivery, and so much more – amazing.  While you were celebrating America’s war heroes, just know that you and everyone involved in …

Honor Flight Syracuse would like to recognize Kathleen Hanley “For Volunteer Service Above Self In Support of our Veterans and the Honor Flight Syracuse Board.” That’s what the Volunteer Appreciation Award plaque reads, but those words only go so far to describe her service. Kathleen Hanley joined the Honor Flight Syracuse team prior to Mission …

$23,950!   That’s the size of that over-sized check presented to Honor Flight Syracuse this summer, proceeds from the 10-th annual Whitney Memorial Poker Run. We are simply overwhelmed with the generosity of Constantia VFW Post 7325 and everyone who supports this yearly fun event on the north shore of Oneida Lake. Over the last decade, …

From time to time, a veteran on our waiting list to fly has a significant downturn in their health, preventing them from making the trip to Washington. On such occasions, volunteers with Honor Flight Syracuse may have the opportunity to visit the veteran in their home, and offer personal gratitude for their service to our …

Independence Day and a 103-rd birthday party for WW2 combat veteran and POW John Shott. On the 4-th of July, Honor Flight volunteers Tom and Pat Richards joined the party at Pitcher Hill Community Church in North Syracuse. 50 of John’s family and friends were there along with State Senator Christopher Ryan who read a …

Letters like this one are why Honor Flight Syracuse is “in business.” The business of giving our veterans the respect and honor they have so richly earned. “Dear Syracuse Honor Flight,Thank you to everyone that put allof their time and effort into puttingMission # 20 together for the 81 veteransWho were able to travel on …