News & Newsletters

Honor Flight Syracuse is grateful for a recent $5,000 donation from Martin’s Point. Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli was on hand for the check presentation, along with the great folks from Martin’s Point. This not-for-profit health care organization provides the greater Syracuse region with US Family Health Plan [TRICARE Prime] insurance plans for eligible military retirees, their…

When you head to the State Fairgrounds for the annual Veterans Parade and Expo on Saturday, November 8, look for HFS President Kevin Bradley at the head of the Parade! Kevin is the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. It begins at noon. Congratulations Kevin!

     We only ask once a year, and the time is here. In early November, look for our annual Year-End Appeal in the U.S. Mail. Your support of Honor Flight Syracuse is greatly appreciated and will help send more of our veterans to Washington. As we work to continually improve our internal controls and fiscal…

I was on the Mission 23 trip with my wife, Lee, as my Guardian. It was a day I shall never forget. I served with the 1st Logistical Command in Vietnam from October 1966 to February 1968 so I can appreciate the magnitude of detail required to achieve a successful mission. The day was truly…

Watch Andy Robinson’s conversation with Mission 23 veteran Vito Lovecchio, Jr. overlooking the Vietnam wall.

Neither is her handler, Jordyn McCandless. Watch how Clear Path for Veterans serves our veterans on every Honor Flight.

Watch here as Joseph Anthony recounts his unique Coast Guard duty post in the late 60’s and early 70’s

At first, Jim Renna resisted taking the Honor Flight. When he finally agreed to go, he shared Mission 23 with his son, also a veteran. Renna also brought along memories of his dad, who served in World War Two. Watch his story here.

Coast Guard veteran Diane Avery talks about her service in Desert Storm and beyond. Watch her story from Spectrum News by clicking this link.

Honor Flight Syracuse missions always include something that’s been near and dear to anyone in the service…especially those who were stationed far from home: Mail Call. Click here to watch Lacey Leonardi’s story from Mission 23.

Mission 23 included 3 married couples who both served our country…and made the Honor Flight together in September. Watch reporter Lacey Leonardi’s story here.

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…