Honor Flight: Jonesboro, San Angelo, Wausau & Columbia Guide

Honor Flight for Veterans in Jonesboro, San Angelo, Abilene, Wausau-Rhinelander, and Columbia-Jefferson City

Honor Flight is a nonprofit program that flies eligible veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to visit the memorials built for their service. Coverage is not uniform: Jonesboro, Arkansas, has no local hub and relies on the Lone Eagle program; San Angelo and Abilene, Texas, are served by Permian Basin Honor Flight; Wausau-Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is served by Never Forgotten Honor Flight; and Columbia-Jefferson City, Missouri, lost its local hub in September 2025 and must now apply to a neighboring Missouri hub.

What Honor Flight Is and Why It Matters

Honor Flight is a national nonprofit network that transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. The program began in 2005 with World War II veterans and has expanded to include Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, as well as veterans of any era who have a terminal illness. The Honor Flight Network now includes more than 130 independent hubs across the country, and the national organization reports that more than 260,000 veterans have taken part.

The program matters because many veterans have never seen the memorials built in their honor. For older veterans, the logistics of air travel, ground transportation, meals, and medical support can be overwhelming. Honor Flight removes those barriers. The veteran pays nothing. Guardians—volunteers or family members—accompany veterans throughout the trip and assist with mobility, medication, and daily needs.

What veterans should do next: confirm your service era qualifies, identify the hub or program that covers your location, and submit an application as early as possible. Do not wait until your health declines. If you have a terminal diagnosis, tell the hub immediately, because most programs move terminally ill veterans to the top of the list.

Eligibility Basics for Honor Flight

Honor Flight eligibility is set by the national network and applied by local hubs. The national baseline is service during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, or terminal illness from any service era. Veterans do not pay for the trip. Guardians usually pay a fee or make a donation toward their own travel.

Who Qualifies Nationally

The Honor Flight Network states that any veteran who served in the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War, or Vietnam—or any veteran from any service era who is terminally ill—is eligible to go as an honored veteran free of charge. Local hubs may apply additional criteria, such as a service-date cutoff or a geographic coverage rule.

Terminal Illness Priority

Terminal illness is the one factor that can override application date at most hubs. Veterans with a terminal diagnosis are typically moved to the top of the list, regardless of when they served. If you have less than one year to live, ask about the TLC (Their Last Chance) program or the hub’s expedited process.

Guardians and Spouses

Every Honor Flight veteran is accompanied by a guardian. Guardians assist with boarding, deplaning, wheelchairs, meals, and other needs. Spouses generally cannot serve as guardians unless the spouse is also a veteran. Adult children, grandchildren, friends, and colleagues are usually allowed. Guardian fees vary by hub.

Jonesboro, Arkansas: No Local Hub, but Options Exist

Jonesboro does not have a dedicated Honor Flight hub. Arkansas is one of the states without a regional hub, and the nearest hub—Honor Flight of the Ozarks in Springfield, Missouri—covers only 13 northwest Arkansas counties: Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Newton, Boone, Marion, Searcy, Baxter, Stone, Fulton, Izard, and Sharp. Jonesboro is in Craighead County in northeast Arkansas, which is not on that list. The driving distance from Jonesboro to Springfield is about 216 miles, well outside the Ozarks hub’s coverage area.

The Lone Eagle Program

Veterans in Jonesboro should apply through the Lone Eagle Honor Flight program. Lone Eagle is a national program within the Honor Flight Network for veterans who live outside a 120-mile radius of an existing regional hub, or in states without a hub. Lone Eagle honors veterans who served through May 1975, as well as terminally ill veterans of any era. The program arranges flights for veterans and guardians who cannot travel with a local hub.

Lone Eagle is not a separate trip to a different destination. It is the same Honor Flight experience—a trip to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials—but organized through the national program rather than a regional hub. Veterans in Jonesboro should apply directly through the Lone Eagle website.

What Jonesboro Veterans Should Do Next

• Confirm your service era. If you served during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, or if you have a terminal illness from any era, you likely qualify.

• Apply through Lone Eagle. Do not send an application to Honor Flight of the Ozarks unless the Ozarks hub has explicitly confirmed it will accept Craighead County veterans. As of 2026, the Ozarks coverage list does not include Craighead County.

• Gather your DD-214. You will need proof of service. If you do not have your DD-214, request it from the National Archives or through VA.gov.

• Expect a wait. Lone Eagle flights are scheduled based on available seats and priority. Applying early preserves your date stamp.

San Angelo and Abilene, Texas: Permian Basin Honor Flight

San Angelo and Abilene are both served by Permian Basin Honor Flight, a West Texas hub based in Midland. The hub began in 2014 and has flown more than 1,000 veterans. Its coverage area extends north to Lamesa, east to Abilene and San Angelo, south to the border, and west to the New Mexico border and El Paso.

Trip Format

Permian Basin Honor Flight is not a one-day trip. Because of the distance from West Texas to Washington, D.C., the hub operates a three-day, two-night trip. Veterans fly on a chartered Southwest Airlines flight from Midland International Air and Space Port to the Washington, D.C., area. The hotel is located close to the memorials to minimize travel time. The itinerary typically includes the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Marine Corps Memorial, Women’s Memorial, Navy Memorial, Army Museum, Marine Corps Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Eligibility for San Angelo and Abilene Veterans

Permian Basin Honor Flight serves veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War—all veterans who served between 1941 and 1975—as well as veterans who are terminally ill and served in other wars. The hub also includes selected Gold Star Families when space is available. Veterans who need walking assistance or use a wheelchair must have a participating guardian to be eligible.

Guardian Requirements

Guardians are required to pay their portion of the trip and travel at the veteran’s side throughout the flight. Guardians provide assistance with mobility, meals, and participation in activities. Younger veterans can serve as guardians for older veterans at no charge and are recognized for their service. The hub’s application page provides the veteran and guardian forms.

How to Apply

Applications are available through the Permian Basin Honor Flight website at permianhonorflight.org. The hub provides online application links for both veterans and guardians. Veterans in San Angelo and Abilene should apply as early as possible. The three-day format means fewer trips per year than one-day hubs, so waitlists can be longer.

Wausau-Rhinelander, Wisconsin: Never Forgotten Honor Flight

Wausau and Rhinelander are served by Never Forgotten Honor Flight, a Wausau-based hub that flies veterans from central and northern Wisconsin to Washington, D.C. The hub was certified by the national Honor Flight Network in 2009 and is one of five Wisconsin hubs. It operates flights from Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee.

Eligibility for Wausau-Rhinelander Veterans

Never Forgotten Honor Flight’s eligibility rule is straightforward: veterans qualify if they served honorably on active duty, in the reserves, National Guard, or inactive Class 3 reserves before May 7, 1975, regardless of where they served. The hub also gives top preference to veterans who are terminally ill, regardless of when they served within the eligible era. Priority order is World War II era first, then Korean War era, then Vietnam era.

Trip Format and Guardian Costs

Never Forgotten Honor Flight operates a one-day round trip. Veterans depart Central Wisconsin Airport early in the morning and return the same evening. Guardians accompany veterans and pay a fee of $500 for the opportunity to accompany one, two, or three veterans. Guardians must be between 18 and 69 years old, able to provide physical assistance, and cannot be a spouse or significant other.

How to Apply

Veterans and guardians can complete applications online at neverforgottenhonorflight.com or request an application by calling 715-573-8519. Completed applications can also be mailed to Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 225780 Rib Mountain Drive, #234, Wausau, WI 54401. Veterans are selected based on the order in which applications are received and the conflict they served in.

What Rhinelander Veterans Should Know

Rhinelander is within the Never Forgotten Honor Flight service area, but the departure point is Mosinee, approximately 90 miles south. Veterans in Rhinelander should plan for early-morning travel to Central Wisconsin Airport or ask the hub about transportation options. The hub does not operate a separate Rhinelander departure.

Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri: Hub Closed, Neighboring Hubs Remain

Central Missouri Honor Flight, based in Columbia, permanently suspended operations on September 15, 2025. The organization completed 71 flights and transported 5,495 veterans over 16 years, but slowing applications and rising costs made the program unsustainable. Veterans in Columbia and Jefferson City can no longer apply to Central Missouri Honor Flight. The organization’s website states plainly that it is no longer accepting applications or donations and directs veterans to other Missouri hubs.

Which Hub Covers Columbia and Jefferson City Now?

The Honor Flight Network does not automatically reassign veterans when a hub closes. Veterans must apply directly to a neighboring hub. Central Missouri Honor Flight’s closure notice lists the following alternatives:

• Great Rivers Honor Flight — Quincy/Hannibal area, serving northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois.

• Greater St. Louis Honor Flight — St. Louis area, phone 314-968-7717.

• Honor Flight of the Ozarks — Springfield area, phone 417-268-9052.

• Heartland Honor Flight — Kansas City area, phone 816-569-0266.

• Honor Flight Network national office — 937-521-2400, for veterans seeking opportunities in neighboring states.

For Columbia and Jefferson City, the most practical options are Greater St. Louis Honor Flight or Heartland Honor Flight. Jefferson City is roughly 130 miles from St. Louis and about 160 miles from Kansas City. Columbia is about 125 miles from St. Louis and 120 miles from Kansas City. Veterans should call the hub directly to confirm that their county is within the hub’s coverage area before submitting an application.

What Happens to Veterans Who Had Pending Applications?

Central Missouri Honor Flight’s closure notice does not state that pending applications were transferred to another hub. Veterans who had applications on file should contact one of the neighboring hubs directly and ask whether their application can be transferred or whether they need to reapply. Do not assume that a pending application with CMHF will be honored by another hub.

Why the Closure Matters for Missouri Veterans

The closure reduces the number of Honor Flight seats available to mid-Missouri veterans. The neighboring hubs have their own waitlists and priority systems. Veterans in Columbia and Jefferson City should apply as early as possible and should not wait for a new central Missouri hub to open. As of 2026, no replacement hub has been announced for the Columbia-Jefferson City area.

Side-by-Side Comparison of the Four Coverage Paths

How to Apply: Step by Step

Applying for Honor Flight is not complicated, but it requires attention to detail. The most common reason veterans wait longer than necessary is an incomplete application or an application sent to the wrong organization.

1. Confirm your service era. Check your DD-214 or military records. If you served during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, or if you have a terminal illness from any era, you likely qualify.

2. Identify the correct program. Use the location sections above. Jonesboro uses Lone Eagle. San Angelo and Abilene use Permian Basin. Wausau-Rhinelander uses Never Forgotten. Columbia-Jefferson City must use a neighboring Missouri hub.

3. Download or request the veteran application. Some hubs offer online forms; others require you to print, sign, and mail a paper form.

4. Gather your DD-214. Most hubs require a copy of your DD-214, DD-256, or NGB-22. If you do not have your DD-214, request it from the National Archives or through VA.gov.

5. Complete the application honestly and fully. Include your service history, current contact information, emergency contacts, and any medical needs such as oxygen or wheelchair use.

6. Submit and confirm receipt. Mail paper applications with tracking, or submit online if the hub offers it. Ask the hub to confirm that your application was received and date-stamped.

7. Respond to screening calls. Hubs may call to verify eligibility, discuss medical clearance, and confirm your availability. Answer calls from unknown numbers during the application period.

8. Attend the pre-flight briefing. Most hubs require veterans and guardians to attend a briefing or training session before the trip.

Documents You Need

The exact document list varies by program, but the core items are consistent:

• DD-214, DD-256, or NGB-22. This is the most commonly requested proof of service. Some hubs ask for a copy with the Social Security number redacted.

• Photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport is needed for airline travel.

• Emergency contact information. Include a spouse, adult child, or caregiver who can be reached on flight day.

• Medical information. List prescriptions, mobility devices, oxygen requirements, and any allergies.

• Guardian application. If a family member or friend will accompany you, that person must submit a separate guardian application and pay the guardian fee.

• Proof of terminal illness if applicable. If you are applying under the terminal illness priority, the hub may ask for a physician’s statement.

Waitlists and Processing Times

Waitlists are the single biggest practical issue in Honor Flight. The national network reports nearly 50,000 veterans on waitlists, and some local hubs have waits of two years or more. The wait is not evenly distributed. A WWII veteran may be scheduled quickly because the number of WWII veterans is smaller and they receive top priority. A Vietnam-era veteran may wait longer because more Vietnam veterans are applying and because hubs are actively recruiting them.

Processing time depends on four factors:

• Your service era. Earlier war eras generally move faster.

• Your health status. Terminal illness can move you to the top of the list.

• Your application date. Within the same priority group, date-stamped applications are usually processed in order.

• Flight capacity. Each hub has a limited number of seats per flight, and some hubs fly only one or two trips per year. Permian Basin’s three-day format means fewer trips per year than one-day hubs.

Veterans should apply as early as possible, even if they are not ready to travel immediately. An application on file preserves a date stamp. If a veteran’s health changes, the hub can update the file and reprioritize.

What to Expect on Flight Day

Flight day is long and structured. Most hubs ask veterans to arrive at the airport before dawn. The group travels together, visits the memorials, and returns the same evening. Guardians stay with veterans throughout the day. Medical personnel are often on the flight.

The day typically includes:

• Early airport check-in. Expect a send-off from family, volunteers, and sometimes active-duty service members.

• Chartered flight or bus to Washington. Meals and snacks are usually provided.

• Memorial visits. The group typically visits the WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery may be included as time permits.

• Wheelchair support. Hubs provide wheelchairs and guardians to push them; the pace is designed to be manageable.

• Return home. Many hubs arrange a hero’s welcome at the airport, sometimes with a water-cannon salute, cheering crowds, and media coverage.

Veterans should bring only what they can carry comfortably: ID, medication, a light jacket, and any comfort items. Souvenirs are not covered by Honor Flight.

Guardians: Costs, Rules, and Training

Guardians are essential to the program. They are not tour guides; they are responsible for the veteran’s safety and comfort for the entire day. The national network describes a guardian as an able-bodied adult who assists with boarding and deplaning, wheelchair pushing, meals, water, and other needs.

Rules vary by hub, but common requirements include:

• Age: Generally 18 to 69 or 18 to 70, depending on the hub. Never Forgotten caps guardians at 69.

• Physical ability: Guardians must be able to lift and push a wheelchair.

• Relationship: Spouses and significant others generally cannot serve as guardians. Never Forgotten explicitly excludes spouses and significant others.

• Training: Most hubs require a mandatory training session before the flight.

• Fee: Guardian fees range from a portion of the trip cost at Permian Basin to $500 at Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

If a veteran does not have a guardian, the hub will appoint a volunteer guardian. Veterans should not skip the application simply because they do not have a family member available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying to the wrong hub. Jonesboro veterans should not apply to Honor Flight of the Ozarks unless the hub has confirmed coverage of Craighead County. Columbia-Jefferson City veterans should not apply to Central Missouri Honor Flight because it is permanently closed.

• Waiting until health declines. Apply early. A date stamp matters, and terminal illness can move you up the list only if the hub knows about it.

• Assuming a spouse can be a guardian. Most hubs prohibit spouses from serving as guardians unless the spouse is also a veteran.

• Skipping the DD-214. Without proof of service, the hub cannot verify eligibility. Request your records early.

• Not answering screening calls. Hubs may call from unknown numbers to verify eligibility. Missing the call can delay your application.

Common Questions

Is Honor Flight really free for the veteran?

Yes. The veteran does not pay for transportation, food, or lodging during the Honor Flight trip. Guardians usually pay a fee or make a donation, and veterans may want spending money for souvenirs, but the program itself is free. If a program asks a veteran for a mandatory payment, ask for clarification in writing.

Who qualifies in Jonesboro, San Angelo, Abilene, Wausau-Rhinelander, and Columbia-Jefferson City?

The national baseline is service during WWII, the Korean War, or Vietnam, or terminal illness from any era. Jonesboro uses the Lone Eagle program, which honors service through May 1975. Permian Basin serves veterans who served between 1941 and 1975, plus terminally ill veterans from other eras. Never Forgotten requires service before May 7, 1975. Columbia-Jefferson City veterans must apply to a neighboring Missouri hub and follow that hub’s rules.

Does Jonesboro have its own Honor Flight hub?

No. Arkansas does not have a regional Honor Flight hub. Jonesboro veterans should apply through the Lone Eagle Honor Flight program, which serves veterans outside a 120-mile radius of an existing hub. Honor Flight of the Ozarks covers only 13 northwest Arkansas counties and does not include Craighead County.

Is the Permian Basin Honor Flight a one-day trip?

No. Permian Basin Honor Flight operates a three-day, two-night trip from Midland International Air and Space Port. The distance from West Texas to Washington, D.C., makes a one-day round trip impractical. Veterans stay in a hotel near the memorials and visit multiple memorials over three days.

Can I apply to Central Missouri Honor Flight?

No. Central Missouri Honor Flight permanently suspended operations on September 15, 2025. It is no longer accepting applications or donations. Veterans in Columbia and Jefferson City should contact Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, Heartland Honor Flight, or Great Rivers Honor Flight.

Can my spouse be my guardian?

Generally, no. Never Forgotten Honor Flight explicitly prohibits spouses and significant others from serving as guardians. Permian Basin Honor Flight allows guardians but expects them to pay their portion of the trip. Always confirm the guardian rule with the specific program before applying.

What if I use oxygen or a wheelchair?

Hubs accommodate wheelchairs and oxygen with advance notice. Permian Basin Honor Flight requires veterans who need walking assistance or use a wheelchair to have a participating guardian. Never Forgotten Honor Flight asks guardians to provide physical assistance. Tell the hub about your needs during screening.

How long is the waitlist?

It varies. Some hubs report waits of two years or more, and the national network has nearly 50,000 veterans on waitlists. WWII veterans and terminally ill veterans usually move faster. Vietnam-era veterans may wait longer because more are applying and hubs are actively recruiting them.

Can I go on Honor Flight more than once?

No. Veterans may travel only once with any hub in the Honor Flight Network. The program is designed to give as many veterans as possible the opportunity to visit the memorials.

Is Honor Flight a government program?

No. Honor Flight is a nonprofit network, not a VA or Department of Defense program. It receives no government funding and relies on donations. VA.gov is useful for obtaining military records, but it does not process Honor Flight applications.

Key Takeaways

• Honor Flight is free for eligible veterans and takes them to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials built for their service.

• Jonesboro, Arkansas, has no local hub; veterans should apply through the Lone Eagle Honor Flight program.

• San Angelo and Abilene, Texas, are served by Permian Basin Honor Flight, which operates a three-day, two-night trip from Midland.

• Wausau-Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is served by Never Forgotten Honor Flight, which requires service before May 7, 1975, and charges guardians a $500 fee.

• Columbia-Jefferson City, Missouri, lost its local hub in September 2025; veterans must apply to Greater St. Louis, Heartland, or Great Rivers Honor Flight.

• Terminal illness can move a veteran to the top of the list at most programs.

• Spouses generally cannot serve as guardians unless they are also veterans.

• Waitlists are long nationally—nearly 50,000 veterans—so apply early even if you are not ready to travel.

• Bring a DD-214 or equivalent service record, photo ID, and medical information.

• Veterans can fly only once with any Honor Flight program.

Official Resources

• Honor Flight Network — national nonprofit overseeing the hub network and Lone Eagle program: honorflight.org

• Lone Eagle Honor Flight — for veterans outside a 120-mile radius of a hub or in states without a hub: loneeagle.honorflight.org

• Permian Basin Honor Flight — San Angelo and Abilene, Texas: permianhonorflight.org

• Never Forgotten Honor Flight — Wausau-Rhinelander, Wisconsin: neverforgottenhonorflight.com

• Greater St. Louis Honor Flight — Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri: greaterstlouishonorflight.org

• Heartland Honor Flight — Kansas City area, serving Missouri: heartlandhonorflight.org

• Central Missouri Honor Flight closure notice — centralmissourihonorflight.com

• VA.gov — Get Military Service Records — official source for DD-214 and military records: va.gov/records

• USA.gov — government services and benefits portal: usa.gov