New West Virginia Honor Flight will bus veterans to Washington
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — This year's Honor Flight out of West Virginia will be a little different than years past, as the new Honor Flight North Central West Virginia hub will not take flight but rather a drive to Washington, D.C., for two nights and three days.
The change comes after Honor Flight Huntington ceased operations. Now, Honor Flight North Central West Virginia will be the only operating hub out of West Virginia, according to Honor Flight North Central WV Coordinator Billie Jo Claypool.
Claypool said this updated way of travel was inspired by a Virginia chapter that does the same. She added that this new way is set to be more cost-effective and allow veterans to visit more sites and stay there longer. Claypool estimates that each bus trip should cost around $30,000.
On top of the lower cost, Claypool said that the goal is to have four trips a year, with around 25 veterans and their guardians each time, instead of just one trip. If all spots are taken, Claypool said those veterans' spots will automatically be reserved for the next trip, which is expected to be in the Spring.
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'We go up, we travel one day, we see all monuments and memorials the next, and then we travel home. All meals, all rooms and everything is provided for our veterans, so that's more relaxing and it doesn't wear them out as much,' Claypool said.
In years past, the flight has taken off from the North Central West Virginia Airport, and then veterans were greeted with a special welcome by the community on their return flight. Now, the buses will depart and return to the Clarksburg VFW.
Applications are now open for the fall Honor Flight, which is scheduled to be Sept. 12-14. Eligible veterans include those who are terminally ill veterans, World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War veterans.
Claypool said to reach her at 304-677-7812 if you have any questions. Volunteers with the flight meet every Tuesday at the Clarksburg VFW from 4-6 p.m. Donations are also already being collected for his year's trip, which can be sent to:
Honor Flight
430 West Pike St.
Clarksburg, WV 26301
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