Honor Flight featured at next Rotary luncheon

The guest speaker at the Coconut Grove Rotary Club luncheon, Thursday, July 6, is Mercy Iglesias and Military Veteran Roy Hellman, Executive Director of Honor Flight South Florida. 

Honor Flight, was conceived by Earl Morse, a physician assistant and retired Air Force Captain, and the inaugural Honor Flight took place in May, 2005. This first flight consisted of six small planes flying out of Springfield, Ohio, taking only 12 World War II veterans on a visit to Washington DC to see their memorial. Later that year, after word of Honor Flight got out, the list of veterans grew and Honor Flight transitioned from a few small planes to commercial airline flights. This transition was a great accomplishment which allowed the still fledgling organization to fulfill their goal of accommodating as many veterans as possible.

Since then, they have flown more than 100,000 veterans to Washington DC from cities all over the country. Today, Honor
Flight is a national network of non-profit organizations (hubs) throughout the country, like the group in South Florida, whose sole mission is to honor America's veterans for all the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our country.

Honor Flight South Florida is a 100% all-volunteer organization, dedicated solely to honoring all veterans in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. Top priority is given to the oldest "defenders of freedom" - World War II veterans, as well as veterans that are terminally ill. They all fly free.

The trips take place within a one-day period. Every trip to the nation's capital is escorted by a team of well-trained volunteers and guardians who personally accompany this elite group of veterans throughout the day. The volunteers and guardians pay their own way, and 100% of all donations go toward honoring the veterans. Throughout the day of the trip the veterans are thanked, recognized, and admired for their service to America. They come home personally knowing how much their country loves and respects them.

Presenting the program about this wonderful organization are Honor Flight South Florida Volunteer Mercy Iglesias and military veteran Roy Hellman. What better way to celebrate our nation's birthday than to learn about Honor Flight South Florida and the great work they do to recognize and honor our veterans?

RSVP at rotaryclubofcoconutgrove@gmail.com.

The luncheon is at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 2990, South Bayshore Drive at 12:15 pm. The cost is $25 per person.