NEWSLETTER
Farmingdale, NY (July 8, 2026) – American Airpower Museum is proud to co-host with Honor Flight Long Island, the August 1, 2026 reunion of 46 veterans who took a free Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on May 2, 2026. These Long Island heroes visited their military memorials, commiserated with fellow veterans and exchanged stories. Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, by providing these free one-day trips to D.C.
Thanks to HFLI, these 46 Veterans took a free, early-morning Southwest flight from MacArthur Airport to Washington, D.C. Veterans, their Guardians and Honor Flight officials, visited World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, Air Force, Navy Memorials and other sites. They returned to MacArthur later that evening for a rousing welcome home by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!
According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army Veteran, “This special flight included 41 Vietnam War Veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their service,” Jones said. “They were accompanied by five elder comrades, one WWII veteran and four Korean War veteran. What this flight really represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible,” Jones added. Editors: See Excel file “May 2 Vets for Rob” for background on the veterans and/or contact Bill Jones for additional comments at (631) 276-8825 or ddbeach5@gmail.com.
The August 1st reunion is 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. Admission for veterans, Guardians and families is for FREE. Members of the public arriving from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. may attend for FREE. After 12:00 p.m. regular admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and veterans, $12 for children ages 3-12, under 3 for FREE. AAM members, active military/guard/reserves, FREE with ID.
Come and cheer our veterans during their “Ceremony of Honors,” as they receive Tribute Journals full of photos from their D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular patriotic medley known as the “Armed Forces Salute,” featuring the six official musical themes of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast (Guard. In addition, long-time Honor Flight Guardian Eric Wieboldt of Merrick will belt out his original song, “Welcome Home, My Brother,” which has brought tears to veterans and onlookers alike. Eric wrote his song “because Vietnam Veterans never received a proper welcome home.” (Please check out Eric’s video: https://youtu.be/EO4fZjJcNZc?
Veterans! Please get on our waiting list for future Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., by clicking on www.honorflightlongisland.org to submit an application. It’s important to submit applications, as that will guarantee placement on our list. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. They are accompanied by Guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax deductible) to offset travel costs. If there is no family member or friend to act as Guardian, HFLI has volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting our heroes to their D.C. memorials. Questions? Call Jamie Bowden at (631) 702-2423 or JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.
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Photo Caption: Photo taken by HFLI Photographer Mark Chamberlain, May 2, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Shown is Eric Wieboldt performing his signature song at the World War II Memorial.
Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 250,000 Veterans to Washington, D.C. Since 2007, Honor Flight Long Island has flown over 2,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their military memorials. For more information visit www.honorflightlongisland.org.
The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of operational aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory’s history. The Museum is a 501©(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.