A veteran and several area organizations have generously donated enough funds to fully support the next flight with the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.
Gary Nelson, a McLeansboro resident who joined the Army in 1968, is remembered by representatives of the Veterans Honor Flight. After serving in Vietnam, he was discharged in 1971. Nelson participated in the Honor Flight in 2024 while battling cancer and was honored as a distinguished veteran on the Mission 12 flight. Inspired by his experience, he was determined to give back and help future veterans.
After connecting with Randy Rubenacker from Rocking for a Cause and Bill Bonan from the Board of People’s National Bank, Nelson helped secure funding for an upcoming flight. A check presentation took place this past Saturday, where a $112,000 check was presented to the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois from People’s National Bank, Rocking for a Cause, and Gary Nelson.
This donation will fully fund the Mission 14 flight scheduled for May 6th “It was the highlight of my life,” Nelson said, reflecting on his Honor Flight experience.
Bryan Questelle, Chairman of the Board for Veterans Honor Flight, expressed his gratitude: “To have an Honor Flight veteran come up and want to fund a flight for others is something I never expected. We are all honored that Mr. Nelson felt so highly of the experience that he wanted to do this.”
This marks the fourth flight that has been fully funded. Mission 14 will include 88 veterans flying to Washington, D.C., departing from Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion at 6:30 a.m. and expected to return at 8:50 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the Welcome Home Celebration to honor all veterans returning from the Mission 14 flight. Veterans interested in participating in an Honor Flight can apply online at www.veteranshonorflight.org or call 618-942-3930 to request a paper application.
Comments