Each Veteran that travels to Washington, DC will be accompanied by a Guardian whose sole responsibility is the safety of the Veteran on travel day enabling him or her to fully experience all that Honor Flight offers. Guardians are required to submit along with their application a contribution of $500 for the privilege and honor of escorting a Veteran.
We will begin accepting applications for our Spring 2023
flight shortly. In the meantime, indicate your interest in the
"Contact Us" section above.
Below is general information from our 2022 flight - it will be updated shortly
You can apply to travel as a Guardian with the Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area by filling out the following form online, or by printing it and submitting it by email to info@honorflightcfa.org or returning it by US mail to: Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area, 310 N. Front Street, Box 292, Wilmington, NC 28401. The $500 can be sent with the application payable by check or can be made online on the donate page. Please note in the subject line of your email or on the envelope "Guardian Application" and note on the donate page that your contribution accompanies a Guardian application.
flight shortly. In the meantime, indicate your interest in the
"Contact Us" section above.
Below is general information from our 2022 flight - it will be updated shortly
You can apply to travel as a Guardian with the Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area by filling out the following form online, or by printing it and submitting it by email to info@honorflightcfa.org or returning it by US mail to: Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area, 310 N. Front Street, Box 292, Wilmington, NC 28401. The $500 can be sent with the application payable by check or can be made online on the donate page. Please note in the subject line of your email or on the envelope "Guardian Application" and note on the donate page that your contribution accompanies a Guardian application.
- Being a Guardian requires total focus on, and dedication to, the Veteran you are assigned to escort. Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area (HFCFA) sponsors the day to say “thank you” and provide a “welcome home” that few Veterans received. The day is about comradery and sharing experiences of the day with their brother and sister Veterans. It can be a life-changing day for many them. The Guardian’s sole duty is to make sure the veteran is safe and fully experiences all that Honor Flight offers.
- Spouses and significant others are not permitted to be Guardians for their Veteran spouses or significant others or to fly in any other capacity on the same flight. This policy is to prevent any issues from interfering with or influencing in any way the Veteran’s Honor Flight experience. Other family members who are over 18 years of age will be considered to serve as a guardian on a case-by-case basis.
- Guardians must be physically fit to care for themselves as well as for the assigned veteran for an entire day. The day will begin at the Wilmington International Airport (ILM) at approximately 5:00 AM, include 8-10 stops in the Washington, DC area, and will conclude with a return to ILM around 9:00 PM that night. HFCFA reserves the right to reject any Guardian application.
- Caring for the Veteran assigned to you includes, but is not limited to:
- Ensuring they have all the information and assistance they need prior to the flight. This can include making sure they have provided all necessary information and have made travel arrangements to get to the pre-flight training and to the flight. In some cases, Guardians themselves may provide that travel.
- On flight day, assisting the Veteran with getting in and out of his or her seats on the aircraft, the buses, and possibly a wheelchair all day long. You will need to ensure the Veteran stays on time, get meals, drinks, bathroom breaks, and that they take whatever medicines are required. You are required to stay with the group, and at no time are you to allow your Veteran to wander off alone.
- Most importantly, a Guardian needs to become a trusted companion very quickly for the Veteran. Your Veteran needs to be comfortable reaching out to you for anything prior to and on flight day.
- In some cases, your Veteran may want to have some private time since Honor Flight can be a highly emotional experience. You’ll have to judge just how close you need to stay to them. But it is essential that you never let them out of your sight. You are responsible for this individual all day. If the Veteran gets overcome with emotion, you need to be there to physically and emotionally assist them.
- Be aware that many of these Veterans are quite elderly—the WWII Veterans are in their 90’s, most of the Korean War Veteranss are in their 80’s, and the Vietnam Veterans are in their 70’s in many cases. They will all need at least some amount of patience and understanding on your part.
- There will be a Guardian training session, followed by a Meet and Greet with your Veteran, scheduled within the month before the flight. At that session, you will be issued all your gear for flight day, so it is important that you attend. Advance notice as to date, time, and location will be provided.
- You must have no convictions for violence of any kind; no felony convictions; and not be a registered sex offender.
- HFCFA Board of Directors reserves the right to deny any application at the Board’s discretion.
IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE… please submit your application AND your $500 contribution. The contribution is for the privilege and honor of escorting the Veteran on the trip. You will not be charged any trip expenses. Your application will not be complete without the contribution.