Honor Flight Arizona will begin its Fall 2023 flying season with a special first flight.

The flight on Tuesday, Sept. 12 will be the 100th trip for the organization, which has flown nearly 2,800 World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Washington D.C. to see their respective war memorials.

The 100th flight will have double the usual number of participants in honor of the milestone. The trip will include 100 participants including veterans, guardians, trip leaders and medics.

“It’s incredible to be celebrating this achievement,” Susan Howe, Honor Flight Arizona emeritus/founder and board member, stated in a press release. “When we first started, we focused on one flight at a time. Now we have created quite the legacy. It’s heartwarming to know how many veterans’ lives have been changed by getting to take their flight of honor."

The nonprofit accepts donations of any amount to continue its mission of taking veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces to see their memorials in Washington at no cost to the veteran.

“This huge milestone was only reached by a group effort,” Rick Hardina, Honor Flight Arizona president, shared. “We are thankful to have generous donors who finance our efforts and volunteers who help both at the airport and behind the scenes. Our flights continue to happen because of all those who are involved.”

This season’s trip dates are: Sept. 12–14; Sept. 26–28; Oct. 11–13; and Oct. 24–26.

All flights will include veterans from across branches of service from the Korean War to the Vietnam War. Two World War II veterans are scheduled to be in attendance on Tuesday’s flight.

Honor Flight Arizona took its first flight of 11 World War II veterans in November 2009. In addition to WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, trips have also included close to 2,000 guardians who assist the veterans along the way. Veterans are encouraged to sign up for their no-cost Honor Flight.

According to the organization, it costs $1,300 to send one veteran on their Honor Flight, which includes roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, banquet meals, double occupancy hotel room, lunches, a T-shirt and name tag, plus administrative costs and fees.

Honor Flight Arizona is the northern/central Arizona chapter of Honor Flight Network.

Click here to donate to Honor Flight Arizona.

Honor Flight Arizona veterans pay their respects on a recent trip to Washington D.C.

(Photo provided by Honor Flight Arizona)

This montage shows different elements of an Honor Flight Arizona journey. The nonprofit will take its 100th trip since its founding in 2009 on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

(Photo provided by Honor Flight Arizona)