Honored Veterans, Guardians and Families,
It is with profound regret that we are announcing the postponement of Mission 29 of Collier-Lee Honor Flight, originally scheduled for October 18, 2025.
Rest assured, this decision was not made lightly. We understand the disappointment this may cause our Veterans, Guardians and their families – our team is incredibly disappointed as well.
Our primary responsibility is to ensure a safe and dignified experience for our Veterans. To that end, we have been in constant contact with other Honor Flight hubs, government officials, and partners in D.C. We have also been contacted by Veterans and Guardians alike who have expressed concern about the effects of the shutdown and protests.
With continued uncertainties surrounding public safety (the October 18th No Kings Protests in Washington, D.C., lack of National Park Police, air traffic control personnel shortages), and essential services possibly being unavailable (restrooms) we cannot in good conscience proceed with our flight at this time.
We are actively working to reschedule Mission 29 – we are already exploring the viability of Spring 2026. We ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unforeseen circumstances. We remain fully committed to providing our Veterans with the honor and recognition they deserve and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Thank you for your understanding and please know that we share in your disappointment.
Veterans: please respond to Dr. Stephen Wener at: .
Guardians: please respond to Bob Reffitt at: .
If you have any questions, please call us at: 239.777.9295
Veterans from SWFL visit DC, honor fallen friends at Vietnam Wall
The Collier-Lee
Honor Flight Mission
Honoring Our Veterans One Flight at a Time
Collier-Lee Honor Flight's mission is to transport local veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifice. Established on September 25, 2013, the organization was created to bring the national Honor Flight program to the Collier County, Florida, area. Our inaugural flight took place just six weeks later, on November 9, 2013, and was a resounding success.
These trips are made possible entirely through the dedication of volunteers and are provided at no cost to the veterans. Priority is given to our most senior veterans—especially World War II survivors—and to any veteran facing a terminal illness who wish to visit their memorial. All other veterans are eligible for upcoming flights on a chronological basis.
At Collier-Lee Honor Flight, our mission is powered entirely by volunteers—dedicated individuals who receive no financial compensation for their time or service. We receive no federal, state, or local funding; instead, we rely solely on the generous donations of individuals, families, and businesses from our local community and beyond.
Your donation goes directly toward honoring our veterans by sending them to Washington, D.C., where they visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. This unforgettable journey is completely free for the veterans, made possible through your support.
Thanks to your generosity, we can continue offering this meaningful experience—what we call their "One Last Mission." It is our privilege to escort them to our nation’s capital, giving them the chance to reflect, connect, and find closure at the memorials built in their honor.
Every veteran deserves this final opportunity to experience "America's Thank You."
To learn more about our flights, our mission, or to view photos from recent journeys, please visit us at:
www.collierhonorflight.org
Secure donations can also be made through our website using PayPal.
Our Generous Partners
Collier-Lee Honor Flight simply cannot fulfill its mission without the ongoing generosity of patriotic individuals, businesses and organizations. It is only through their financial support that our veterans have the opportunity to take a once-in-a-lifetime flight to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. So many individuals, organizations and businesses have stepped up that it is impossible to recognize all of them. Those listed below have made a profound impact on the lives of our veterans.
