Residents are encouraged to come out and cheer for veterans participating Saturday in a “Flightless/Virtual” Honor Flight.
This mission will be conducted at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. This “Flightless” flight is designed for those World War II and Korean War veterans who are unable to participate in the regular flights to Washington, D.C. which often exceed 20 hours in length.
Veterans will arrive at the recreation center via bus and area residents are encouraged to attend a “Meet & Greet” at the simulated Baltimore/Washington airport at approximately 11:40 a.m.
After the veterans visit the many memorials in Washington, D.C. via the magic of big screen videos that were made on some of the previous 25 missions, they will arrive back at the simulated Orlando airport (still at the Colony Cottage Rec. Center) at approximately 2:30 p.m. Again, area residents are encouraged to attend another “Meet & Greet” with those same smiles, cheers and flags.
Music and other entertainment will begin at the American Legion Post 347 at 1:30 p.m. The veterans will board a bus at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center for the return to the American Legion for a gala “Homecoming”, and should arrive there at approximately 3:00 p.m. escorted by members of The Villages Nomads Motorcycle Club. The veterans will be greeted by an Honor Guard, cheerleaders, twirlers and a cheering crowd. Residents attending the homecoming are encouraged to bring folding chairs and flags.
