Dear Veteran, “We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in our Honor Flight Austin #85 to see the war memorials that were built in your honor in Washington, D.C,” on September 8-9, 2023.
Chief Master Sergeant, USAF Ret. Steve Lopez of Devine, Tx was drafted into the US Army with the 1st Armored Division at Ft. Hood, Tx where he did his initial training. Pvt. 1st Class Lopez served in Korea in 1952 and 1953 with the 8th Army I Corp in the Armored Munitions Depot in Uijeongbu, South Korea. After returning from combat duty, he later served in the 149th Fighter Group, Civil Engineering Squadron, of the Air National Guard at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Tx.
He served a total of 34 years of military service and has been an active member, and former Commander of the Devine VFW Post 3966 for many years. Being selected for this Honor Flight is a well-deserved opportunity and privilege for Mr. Lopez and he is greatly looking forward to it.
The Honor Flight Network was created in 2005 with a simple, yet powerful mission – honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice, and experience the honor, gratitude, and community of support they deserve. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. Honored veterans always travel free of charge, thanks to generous donations to our organization, the Honor Flight Network.
While initially focused on America’s World War II veterans, Honor Flight Network has expanded its mission to include those who served during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and veterans of any service era who are critically ill. Transporting approximately 22,000 veterans annually, Honor Flight Network has flown nearly 275,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. since its inception. Over 125 hubs across the country form our Honor Flight Network. These hubs and their volunteers truly make our mission a success. They freely donate their time and talents to coordinate flights, bus trips, welcome home ceremonies, thousands of phone calls and so much more – all with the common goal to honor our nation’s heroes with the trip of a lifetime.