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Honor Flight set to fly into new territory with departure direct from Quincy

Published 2:54 pm Friday, May 15, 2026

Veterans (in dark blue), Guardians (in light blue) and Honor Flight staff (in red) pose for a photo at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on the April 30 trip. Mission 81 for Great River Honor Flight will depart from and return to Quincy Regional Airport on Thursday, the first direct trip from and to Quincy for the group.

QUINCY — Following the success of its 80th mission on April 30, the Great River Honor Filght is wasting no time ni getting back in the air.

Mission 81 for the organization will head off to Washington D.C. on Thursday. In a first for the group, this mission will leave and return directly from Quincy Regional Airport. It’s the first test of the collaboration between Great River Honor Flight and Contour Airlines, Quincy’s Essential Air Service provider.

“The number of veterans on this mission is fewer than in the past due to the size of the jet which holds 30 passengers” Honor Flight Chairman Carlos Fernandez said. But, he added, “our mission continues to be to honor and show our gratitude to those who served in our military.”

Following its founding in 2009 and the first mission in 2010, Great River Honor Flight has provided no-cost day trips for over 2,500 area veterans to visit memorials and monuments in the nation’s capital. Mission 81 sees veterans of the Vietnam War, the first Persian Gulf War, and those who served between those conflicts being flown out to D.C.

Veterans, who pay nothing for the trip, will be joined by Guardians, volunteers who pay a small cost to make the trip as escorts to ensure the veterans are able to travel safely. Guardans are often, but not exclusively, family members of the veterans making the trip.

While in D.C., the participants will visit the WWII and Korean War memorials as well as the Vietnam Wall, the Iwo Jima Marine memorial, and the U.S. Air Force Memorial overlooking the Pentagon.

The tour will aslo include Arlington National Cemetery where veterans and Guardians will see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Past missions as well as some missions going foward have departed from Hannibal-LaGrange University or John Wood Community College for a bus trip to St. Louis Lambert International Airport for the trip, returning the the Gateway City at the end of the day before being bused back to either Hannibal or Quincy.

According to Fernandez, if things proceed smoothly, making the flight directly from Quincy and back could save as much as seven hours from what is typically a 20-hour or more day.

To follow updates on Thursday’s trip or for more information on the Great River Honor Flight program, please visit the group’s Facebook page.

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