The Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse of Springfield, Ohio, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, to honor veterans.

In May of 2004, the WWII Memorial was finally completed and dedicated in Washington, DC, which quickly became the topic of discussion among his WWII veteran patients. Earl repeatedly asked these veterans if they would ever travel out to visit THEIR memorial. Most felt that eventually, somehow, they would make it to DC perhaps with a family member or friend.

Most of these senior heroes are in their 80's and lacked the physical and mental wherewithal to complete a trip on their own. Families and friends also lacked resources and time to complete a 3-4 day trip to DC. Earl could tell that the majority of the veterans had given up all hope of ever visiting the memorial that was specifically created to honor their service. That's when he decided that there has to be a way to get these heroes to DC to see their memorial. Earl is also a private pilot and member of one of our nation's largest and best aero clubs located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.

In December of 2004, Earl asked one of his WWII veteran patients if he could personally fly him out to DC, free of charge, to visit his memorial. He accepted the offer. Honor Flight was born.

Other dedicated volunteers join, a board was formed, funds were raised and the first flight took to the air in May of 2005. Six small places flew 12 very happy veterans out to Manassas, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC. Vans then transported the pilots and veterans into DC and to the WWII Memorial. The responses from both the veterans and the pilots were overwhelming. It was an experience that will live with them for the rest of their lives. Other Honor Flight "hubs" have been organized from around the country and it's time to get planes in the air from Southwest Minnesota.