Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area announces date for sixth mission

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area will take veterans to Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2027, for the nonprofit’s sixth trip to visit the nation’s war memorials.

The organization, which was established in 2020 as a hub of the national Honor Flight Network, says it has honored more than 380 veterans. The trips are free for eligible veterans.

Veterans who served before 1975 and those from any era who have a life-limiting illness are encouraged to apply. Combat service and overseas deployments are not required.

For the next flight, priority will go to veterans who served during World War II, the Korean War era and the Cold War before the Vietnam War, as well as critically ill veterans from any service era. Other eligible veterans will be placed on a waitlist for a future flight based on when their applications are received.

The organization says its waitlist for Vietnam-era veterans is filling rapidly.

Honor Flight is also seeking guardians for the upcoming mission. Guardians, sometimes called “battle buddies,” accompany veterans one-on-one throughout the trip and help them navigate the journey.

Veteran and guardian eligibility requirements and applications are available on the Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area website. Volunteer applications and donation information are also available on the website.

The organization plans to announce opportunities for the community to participate in its annual Operation Mail Call and welcome home celebration at Wilmington International Airport on April 17.