Honor Flight of Central Coast looking for veterans to participate in upcoming trips

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - An organization dedicated to honoring our local veterans is looking for veterans to go on upcoming "honor flights."

Honor Flight of the Central Coast is inviting local veterans to apply to go on the all-expenses-paid tour in Washington, D.C.

The organization flies veterans to D.C. for three days, so they can visit military memorials and monuments. When veterans return home, they're greeted by crowds holding American flags and thanking them for their service.

There are flights coming up in the spring and fall this year.

The Central Coast chapter serves veterans in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

The flights are based out of the San Luis Obispo Airport, but the organization provides travel accomodations for veterans from the Santa Barbara area.

Nearly 350 local veterans have made the trip since the local chapter started in 2014.

"I've been on more than a dozen of these trips," said Bear McGill, President of Honor Flight of the Central Coast. "Every time, I am moved to tears watching once-young soldiers remembering their pasts. Decades later, they remain fiercely patriotic and dedicated to our country."

The organization is looking specifically for World War II and Korean War veterans who might be interested in going on the upcoming trips.

"We are fighting the clock on our aging vets," McGill said. He says in the last few months, several former Honor Flight attendees have passed away. "We are reminded every day that the time to go is now."

The organization is designed to meet any needs a veteran may have, from wheelchairs to oxygen tanks.

Family members or friends of veterans can also contact the organization to learn more.

If you're interested in more information, you can send an email to info@honorflightccc.org.

Additional information can be found here.