News Summary
San Diego paid tribute to its veterans during the 31st mission of Honor Flight San Diego, transporting 90 veterans to Washington, D.C. for recognition. This emotional journey included flag presentations, special moments at memorials, and a memorable homecoming at the San Diego airport, with over 1,000 supporters. The non-profit organization ensures all travel expenses are covered, showing commitment to all veterans, including those requiring special assistance. The mission highlighted the importance of honoring their service and sacrifices, fostering community support and involvement.
San Diego celebrated its veterans with emotional ceremonies during the 31st mission of Honor Flight San Diego (HFSD), which took place in September 2025. The mission successfully transported 90 veterans to Washington, D.C., where they paid tribute to their service and sacrifices.
Among the veterans were Captain Jim Callaway and Lieutenant Commander Ken Wilson, both retired from the U.S. Navy. The journey included special moments such as flag presentations for Ellen Shively and Arlene Riordan, Nurse Corps veterans, near the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. The trip culminated in a heartfelt homecoming at the San Diego airport, where returning veterans were greeted by a tunnel of saluting active-duty personnel and a crowd of over 1,000 cheering Americans.
The Honor Flight Network, a non-profit established in 2005, ensures that all travel expenses for veterans are covered. This includes flights, meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation to key memorials in Washington. For this particular mission, there were 67 veterans who required wheelchairs, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to all veterans, regardless of their physical needs. Additionally, HFSD collected 8,500 letters from supporters, which were distributed during a special ‘mail call’ on the trip.
Each veteran on this mission was paired with a one-on-one guardian, typically a friend or family member, or a community volunteer, to ensure their safety and comfort throughout the journey. Planning for the mission typically takes around six months, involving meticulous logistics such as screening veterans, reserving transport, and coordinating medical needs.
This year’s mission included a special charter flight provided by Alaska Airlines, adorned with patriotic motifs and dedicated veteran plaques. The total cost for a single mission is approximately $310,000, with around $200,000 allocated specifically for the charter flight. Guardians contribute $950 towards the mission costs, while the organization relies entirely on donations and grants, without any government funding.
Throughout the trip, emotional moments were numerous, particularly during the mail call that moved many veterans to tears. This year notably included Dick Burns, the only WWII veteran on the trip, providing a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by earlier generations. The BWI Brownies, a motorcycle escort group, played a key role in guiding the veterans from their hotel to Arlington National Cemetery, reinforcing the community support surrounding this event.
The September mission of HFSD continued its tradition of creating lasting memories for participants. The trip included flag presentations and moments of reflection at various memorial sites, all intended to honor and recognize the bravery of veterans. HFSD is managed by Julie Brightwell, who leads a dedicated team of volunteer leaders, including Lisa Gary and Brent Gary, demonstrating the strong community involvement in the mission.
Additionally, the mission specifically aimed to honor Vietnam veterans, who began receiving support from HFSD in 2023. This focus addresses the historical lack of a proper homecoming these veterans faced, further highlighting the importance of HFSD’s ongoing commitment to all veterans.
With a strong local presence, particularly from the community of Coronado, many residents serve as volunteers and participate in HFSD missions. The September 2025 trip stands as a testament to the dedication of the HFSD organization and its relentless pursuit of honoring the service and sacrifices made by veterans.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado News: Honor Flight San Diego Veterans
- Coronado News: Bulky Trash Curbside Pickup
- San Diego Union Tribune: Veterans Day Guide
- CBS8: Remembering WWII D-Day Hero
- 10News: Honor Flight San Diego to Honor Navy SEALs
- Wikipedia: Honor Flight
- Google Search: Veterans Day Ceremonies San Diego
- Google Scholar: Honor Flight Veterans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veterans Day
- Google News: Honor Flight San Diego
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
