Honor Flight completes 25th mission, opens applications for 2027 trip
A veteran salutes at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Honor Flight Central Coast California
Eighty-one veterans visited Washington, D.C.; all-missions reunion planned at Santa Margarita Ranch
– Honor Flight Central Coast California has completed its 25th mission, taking 81 veterans, along with their guardians and staff, to Washington, D.C., for three days, according to the organization.
The organization thanked Welcome Home Military Heroes, the men and women of Vandenberg Space Force Base, the Santa Maria Police Department Honor Guard, and the active-duty and retired military, first responders, families, friends, and community members who came out to welcome the veterans home.
“For some of our veterans, this may have been the welcome home they never received when they returned from their service many years ago,” the organization said in its October newsletter. “Seeing our community come together to give them the welcome they deserved reminds us why we do what we do.”
Two photographers who accompanied the trip captured photos, which the organization has posted in a trip photo gallery on its website for veterans, guardians, families, and friends.
On each mission, the organization honors local service members who were killed in action or are missing in action. A photograph of each was displayed in the window of a tour bus, and a packet with a brief history of their life and service was available for veterans, guardians, and staff to read during the trip.
Mission No. 25 honored four local fallen service members: Pfc. Glenn Allen Harris, born in 1916 and killed in action in 1942 during World War II; Cpl. Carmen Carrillo, born in 1930 and killed in action in 1951 during the Korean War; Pfc. Thomas J. Ontiveros, born in 1946 and killed in action in 1966 during the Vietnam War; and Spc. 4 Dennis John Stanley, born in 1947 and killed in action in 1969 during the Vietnam War.
The organization is planning Mission No. 26 for September 2027. Veterans who have not signed up, or people who know a veteran who should, can apply online.
An All Missions Reunion is planned for May 1, 2027, at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. More details will be announced later, according to the organization.
For more information, visit www.honorflightccc.org.
