Triad Honor Flight Plans Third Trip to Washington, D.C., Seeks Funding
Triad Honor Flight announced it will add a third flight in 2026 to help clear a large waiting list, and organizers say they must raise more than $300,000 to support the expanded schedule. The decision matters to Guilford County residents because the flights serve older veterans, depend on community donations and volunteers, and bring both emotional and modest economic benefits to the local area.
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Triad Honor Flight, the local nonprofit that flies veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials and monuments, told WXII on November 11, 2025 that it plans to operate three flights in 2026 instead of its usual two. Organizers say the expansion is aimed at reducing a substantial waiting list and that each flight costs roughly $100,000 to $115,000. To fund the larger schedule the group needs to raise more than $300,000 through donations and local fundraising.
The announcement places an immediate emphasis on fundraising. A three flight schedule would serve about 300 veterans next year, implying average program costs of roughly $1,000 to $1,150 per veteran when dividing total projected expenditures by the anticipated number of participants. Those costs cover chartering planes, volunteer guardians, bus logistics for the day and other operational needs that make the single day trip possible. The program depends heavily on community support rather than steady institutional funding.
For Guilford County residents the stakes are both personal and practical. Many of the veterans who use Honor Flight are in advanced age, which means long waits can be effectively permanent for some on the list. The trips carry clear non economic value for families and for community recognition of service. They also create local economic activity when organizers rely on area vendors for transportation, food and event logistics, and when fundraisers bring people together at civic and business events.
Community partnerships have played a critical role in previous missions. Local businesses, veteran service organizations and civic groups have provided donations, volunteer time and logistical support. Organizers plan local fundraising events and have posted donation links to help reach the new target, and they are appealing to individuals and institutions across the Triad to step up this winter.
The Triad Honor Flight decision also points to broader trends and policy questions. The aging veteran population nationally is creating rising demand for memorial visits and other veteran services, which increases reliance on nonprofits and volunteers. That dynamic raises questions for local leaders about whether county or state grants can help bridge gaps for high impact programs that serve older residents. It also underscores the value of predictable support for volunteer driven operations, where a single shortfall can force cancellations or leave veterans waiting longer.
Organizers say meeting the fundraising target will determine whether the third flight goes forward. For now the call is clear for local donors, civic groups and businesses to contribute if they want to see roughly 300 Guilford County area veterans visit national memorials next year and receive the recognition the program aims to provide.
