Author Archives: Evan Youngblood

14th Veterans Honor Flight set for May 2025

During the Welcome Home Celebration for Mission 13, which transported 89 honored Veterans to D.C., the Board of Directors of Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois announced the mission will continue in the Spring. “We continue to get applications, and the mission is not over,” said Bryan Questelle, Chairman. “As long as we have Veterans […]

Welcome Home Mission 13

Join us at 5 p.m. for a festival of gratitude, love, and patriotism! Bring your banners, lawn chairs, and spirit as we roll out the red carpet for our heroes returning from Washington, D.C. The evening promises a vibrant atmosphere with delicious offerings from local food trucks like Cone to Table, Crazy Asian Eats, and […]

Mission 13 Announced – Fully Funded by Previous Veterans’ Family

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois completed the twelfth mission to Washington DC today, with 89 veterans being honored. Upon the return at the Welcome Home Celebration held at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, the Board of Directors announced Mission 13 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024. In addition, it was announced the Allan […]

Everyone’s Invited to Welcome Home Mission 12 Veterans

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois welcomes everyone to join us on May 7 at Veterans Airport to welcome home 88 Veterans who are being honored on Mission 12. Festivities begin at 5:30pm. Mission 12 is expected to land at Veterans Airport around 8:30pm. The public is invited to bring signs to welcome our heroes […]

Mission 13 Veteran Application Deadline April 21

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is deep into plans for a 13th Mission to Washington DC. Planned for the Fall of 2024, Mission 13 will aim to transport 85 veterans to DC to see the memorials built in their honor. Veterans Honor Flight currently has over 500 veteran applications on file, waiting for selection. […]

J&L Custom Automotive Leprechaun Hunt

J&L Custom Automotive in Mulkeytown is once again hosting an event to benefit Veterans Honor Flight. Returning for 2024 is the Leprechaun Hunt! Jeep lovers, get ready for a thrilling adventure! We’re excited to announce that J & L Custom Automotive Leprechaun Hunt Jeep Run and Jeep Raffle is happening on March 16th, 2024. And […]

Photos Posted from Flight 9

With each flight, dedicated photographers are taken to DC with our Honored Veterans to capture the day. These photographers donate their time, skill, and products to our Veterans. With Flight 9, Courtney Paige of Boulder Creek Photography and Kasey Wolters of KC Photography took on the challenge. Over 2,000 photos were taken. Photos are available, […]

Board Establishes Award in Memory of Lt. Dan Finke

The Board of Directors of Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois were saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Honor Flight volunteer, Daniel E. “Lt. Dan” Finke. Lt. Dan became a member of the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois (“VHFSI”) team from the beginning. Lt. Dan served as Volunteer Coordinator for VHFSI. Lt. […]

Runway 5K Returns

We are so excited to tell you that the O’Charley’s 5K on the Runway is back this year! On November 11, 2022, join us on the runway at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois to run the 5th annual 5K under the runway lights! Runners and walkers from throughout the area are invited to come out […]

Successful Flight 7 Brings 87 Veterans to D.C.

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois completed their seventh flight to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 after a nearly two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-volunteer group departed Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois at 5:30am for a day packed with visits to memorials in our nation’s capitol. This flight carried 87 […]