Honor Flight returns to Bishop Hill Sunday, June 9th, 3-7 p.m. with the community raising funds to send area veterans to Washington, D.C. Fortunate veterans who are chosen will visit memorials dedicated to honoring their sacrifices.
In the last four years, the community has raised more than $40,000 for the Quad Cities Chapter of the Honor Flight Network. Area veterans will be provided with a free trip to visit their memorial with priority given to survivors of World War II, Korean War, and any veteran with a terminal illness. Honor Flight Quad Cities operates on donations from organizations and individuals. Representatives from the Honor Flight organization will be there to answer questions and to accept applications.
The schedule begins with the Barbecue Rib dinner at 3 p.m. in the village park. At 3:30 pm, the Illinois Patriot Guard and Legion Riders will arrive; at 4 pm, there will be an Invocation and then the Presentation of Colors by area VFW and American Legion groups. Representative Donald L. Moffitt 74th District and Senator Darin LaHood 37th District will speak. Honor Flight Guardians Deb Turner and Greg Peterson will talk about their Honor Flight experience. Shelley Kinzer of Bishop Hill will be providing patriotic music. Greg Peterson will be speaking as well Honor Flight Board Member Chuck Missel. Local Bishop Hill story teller Brian “Fox” Ellis will perform “The Civil War in 12 Minutes.” Live auction provided by Stenzel Auction Service. Auction items include 4 tickets to a Cubs/Cardinal game, 2 tickets to a White Sox game, a Larry the Cable Guy autographed t-shirts, as well as locally made quilts, pottery, and other items. Special military display provided by the Galva American Legion. The Illinois Patriot Guard will display their Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall. There will be a military retreat at 1800 hours exactly (6 pm) with a 21 gun salute and taps. Golf cart shuttle services, provided by Cambridge cart, are provided from the edge of the park. For more information call 927-3355.