LYNDON, Kan. – The journey has become real for 46 veterans, their guardians and volunteers who departed early Wednesday morning for the 2026 Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.
Veterans, guardians and volunteers from Central Heights, Lyndon, Osawatomie, Prairie View, Flinthills, Northern Heights and Jayhawk Linn gathered Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Lyndon High School, for a meet and greet dinner ahead of this week’s trip.
Organizers welcomed participants during the evening, reviewed important information and provided training for guardians. There was plenty of conversation, a few stories shared around the dinner table and a lot of excitement for what lies ahead. For some participants, connections are well established through family ties and friendships – grandfathers and grandsons, uncles and nephews and longtime friends will be making the journey together. For many others, Sunday night was the first opportunity to sit down together, share a meal and begin getting acquainted before the trip.
Throughout the journey, guardians will be in service to their veterans, assisting them as they travel through Washington, D.C., and helping make the experience as memorable as possible. Organizers encouraged guardians to think about what they could do for their veteran and reminded them that while the trip lasts only two days, the friendships formed along the way may last much longer.
The group was scheduled to depart early Wednesday morning from Kansas City International Airport before flying to Baltimore and traveling to Washington, D.C. Participants will spend two full days visiting memorials, historic sites and landmarks before returning to Kansas City International Airport at approximately 10:25 p.m. tonight.
Planned stops include Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Archives, the United States Capitol, Fort McHenry, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and additional historic locations throughout the nation’s capital.
For many participants, Honor Flight is about more than the places they visit. It is an opportunity to hear stories, make memories and honor the service of the men and women who have served our country.
A Facebook page titled “2026 Honor Flight” has been created to share photos, videos and updates throughout the journey. Community members are encouraged to follow along as the group travels this week.
For more information, contact 2026 Honor Flight Media Representative Kathleen Hinrichs at khinrichs@usd288.org.
Information and photo thanks to Kathleen Hinrichs.
