WARSAW — It costs $140,000 for every Honor Flight that shuttles 85 veterans and their guardians to Washington DC, to see the memorials built in their honor.

As a result, supporters of Honor Flight Northeast Indiana spend a lot of time fundraising to cover the cost of five flights they provide each year, which originate from Fort Wayne International Airport.

On Monday, the group received an $18,250 donation from Lucky 7 Car Store in Warsaw, after storeowners Travis and Amanda Dice chose to donate $250 from each car sale during November.

Travis Dice said they like to support various benefits, but took it to another level for veterans.

"We got a lot of support from the community, and everybody was excited to be purchasing their vehicle knowing we were making that donation for them on their behalf," Travis said.

The demand among veterans to participate in Honor Flights has remained strong since the national program was established in 2004.

Honor Flight Northeast Indiana is one of 133 Honor Flight hubs across the country.

"We're always fundraising. We're always taking donations," said Michael Thena, a board member for Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, who accepted the donation Monday afternoon.

"Our waiting list is almost three years long right now — and that's just Vietnam veterans," Thena said.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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WINONA LAKE — The annual Salute to Veterans Benefit concert — a big supporter of  Honor Flight Northeast Indiana — will be Nov. 8 in Warsaw, according to a news release from The Community Arts Program of Kosciusko County.

The concert will be held at the First Baptist Church, 2819 Patterson Road, Warsaw.

Start time is 2 p.m., and doors open at 1:30 p.m.

The Chain-O-Lakes Chorus is hosting the event with performances by the Chain-O-Lakes Barbershop Chorus, Chain Gang Barbershop Quartet, Community Arts Program Vocal Vibes, and special guests the Lakeland Christian Academy Combined Choirs.

[caption id="attachment_121377" align="alignright" width="180"] Jeff Grose[/caption]

The emcee for this year’s program will be Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Those wanting to attend are encouraged to reserve seats by calling 260-249-8229.

A free-will donation will be collected to benefit Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

Donations to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana can be made online by clicking on the website here.

This annual event helps raise money to support Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, which i an independent hub of the Honor Flight network, created to raise funds and provide volunteers to transport veterans from World War II and all subsequent wars directly from Fort Wayne to Washington, DC.

Upon arrival, motor coaches will be standing by to transport them to their WWII Memorial, as well as other memorial stops throughout the day, before flying them back home the same evening.

All Honor Flights are 100% funded by individual and corporate contributions, and they receive no funding from any government level.

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FORT WAYNE — Honor Flight Northeast Indiana is slated for its 45^th Honor Flight from Fort Wayne on Oct. 11.

Eighty-five veterans from the Fort Wayne area are booked and confirmed for the flight.  Included will be 1 Post WWII Veteran, 3 Korean War veterans, 8 Cold War veterans, 72 Vietnam veterans, 1 Lebanon/Grenada veteran. Included on this flight are 5 veterans that have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

As of this date 3,309 veterans have traveled from Fort Wayne to Washington, D.C. on an Honor Flight.

Honor Flight Northeast Indiana thanks all the organizations and individuals who, through their donations at local events and fund-raising events have made it possible to give our Veterans a day of remembrance and honor for their service. The visits to all the memorials built in their honor, make this a wonderful day for the men and women who deserve our respect and honor!

A Welcome Home celebration is scheduled at the Fort Wayne International Airport for 9 PM.  Please plan to arrive by 8 p.m. and park in the long-term parking lot.

Cathy Berkshire, President of Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, and the entire Honor Flight Team are excited to honor this group of veterans on our 5^th flight for 2023.

“We are so thankful for the community support of Honor Flight so we can Honor our Veterans with their trip to Washington, D.C. We look forward to having a large crowd at the Fort Wayne International Airport to welcome these Veterans home.”

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