Q: Can my spouse go with me?
A: The only spouses who are permitted to go are
those who are veterans themselves. We do not
have the resources, funding, or seating available to
transport all the veterans who are presently on our
waiting list. Adding spouses simply isn't an option
for our program.
Q: I am the widow of a veteran. Can I go?
A: Sadly, the answer is "no". Again, we
do not have the resources, funding, or seating
available to transport all the veterans who are
presently on our waiting list. Adding spouses and
widows simply isn't an option for our program.
Q: How much does it cost? How much money do I
need to bring?
A: The cost is FREE for all Veterans. You do
not need to bring any money, unless you intend to
purchase souvenirs.
Q: Can my son, daughter, grandson, etc. go as a
Guardian?
A: Only under certain limited circumstances.
Our TOP priority is the safe travel of ALL the
veterans. Who will or will not serve as a guardian,
and how many guardians will be needed, is the sole
responsibility of the Hub Director. That decision is
based upon many factors, such as:
How many disabled veterans are scheduled to go?
Of the disabled veterans going, how many will have
to be physically assisted getting on and off the
bus?
Which guardian applicants are most qualified?
Medically trained, active duty military personnel
and veterans who have previously participated in a
flight are given top priority and serve as
leadership members. Applicants physically
capable of assisting in the lifting of veterans are
also a top priority. Once the director feels
enough of those positions have been filled, other
applicants are then considered. Again, these
decisions rest solely with the Hub Director.
Q: Can I make a donation to Honor Flight Bay
Area?
A: Honor Flight Bay Area gratefully accepts
donations from anyone EXCEPT World War II Veterans
who have not benefited from the experience of an
Honor Flight Tour. We feel that these veterans have
given enough. This is our way of saying "Thank
You"! For more information, click on the
DONATE button on the upper left side of this page.
Q: How do you decide which veterans get to go?
A: Veterans are flown on a "first-come,
first-served basis." Within the applicants, top
priority is currently given to World War II veterans
and all other veterans with terminal illness. Our
second priority is to Korean War veterans and then
Vietnam War veterans.
Q: What if I live outside the San Francisco Bay
Area?
A: In order to find your local Honor
Flight hub, click on the regional hubs link in the
national honor flight website, www.honorflight.org.
Scroll down and click on the state in which the
veteran lives and click on the nearest hub.
The national web site also includes information on
the the Lone Eagles program to serve those that are
not within 150 miles of a regional hub.
Q: How are you funded?
A: Funding for Honor Flight hubs comes
primarily from individuals who recognize the great
accomplishments and sacrifices of veterans and want
them to see their memorial before it's too late.
Other significant contributors have been fraternal
organizations like local American Legion, VFW, Am
Vets, DAV, MOPH, posts and chapters, as well as
various corporations on a local level. For more
information, click on the DONATE button on the upper
left side of this page.
Q: What if the veteran is on oxygen or will need
a wheelchair?
A: WHEELCHAIRS -- About 50% of the veterans we
have transported over the past three years were in
wheelchairs. Our deluxe motor coaches are ordered
based upon this fact. Many of our coaches are
equipped with wheelchair lifts.
OXYGEN -- If the veteran requires oxygen, a
prescription for the oxygen must be provided by the
veteran's healthcare provider, identifying the
delivery method (mask or nasal cannula), frequency
(as needed or continuously), and the rate of
delivery (2-3 liters per minute). Honor Flight
Network may provide an FAA-approved oxygen
concentrator for use during the trip if local oxygen
equipment is not available. We also provide oxygen
cylinders to be used at the memorials. If an
overnight stay in the D.C. area is required, we will
provide an overnight concentrator for use in the
hotel room. Veterans on oxygen are required to have
oxygen cylinders available from their home to the
departure airport and also on the return from their
local airport back to their homes. No oxygen
cylinders are permitted to be used on the aircraft.
If the veteran requires oxygen during the trip,
please call us to discuss arrangements.
Q: Are terminally ill World War II veterans given
any special priority?
A: YES! Such veterans go to the top of the
list for the next flight departing to Washington
D.C.. Not only are World War II veterans given this
top priority, but any terminally ill veteran, who
has never been able to visit their memorial, is
given the same priority.
