Honor Flight Tri-State was awarded the coveted 2018 National Service Award from the National Honor Flight Network, for their exception service to veterans by hosting the first Law Enforcement flight from CVG in October 2017. They were chosen from 144 hubs in 46 states for this National award.
The National Headquarters was made aware of the flight when they asked each hub what they had done that was exceptional during the 2017 flying season. The hubs were limited to 200 words to describe their flight.
The following is the essay we wrote for consideration.
“ On October 24, 2017 – Honor Flight Tri-State had a most exceptional flight from the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport ( CVG ) to Washington DC.
We had the first Law Enforcement Flight to see our memorials in Washington DC erected in their honor. We hosted 72 veterans who had also come home to continue to serve our community with long careers in Law Enforcement.
Many of the guardians were also in Law Enforcement now. We were able to arrange a ceremony and flag presentation at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. There are over 22,000 names of officers killed in the line of duty engraved on the memorial. A Blue and Black police flag, signed by all of the veterans will be on permanent display at the National Law Enforcement Museum that is under construction now. The other flag will be on display at the Cincinnati Police Museum.
We gave each veteran a red rose to place anywhere they wanted on the memorial. Their tributes to fallen brothers, fathers and partners was heart wrenching, many of these men and women were with their partners when they were killed in the line of duty. We felt so humbled to be with them. This flight to honor these devoted military and public servants was very emotional and their heartfelt thanks was overwhelming”