About
Honor Flight Long Island
On May 29, 2004, President Bush dedicated the World War II Memorial to honor "The Greatest Generation," 59 years after the end of WWII. One year later, the Honor Flight Program was inaugurated.
Earl Morse and Jeff Miller, co-founders of Honor Flight, realized that many World War II veterans would never have the opportunity to visit the memorial that was erected in their honor. Many, due to age or financial resources or knowledge or strength, would not be able to complete a conventional trip to Washington D.C.
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But, thanks to their foresight, Honor Flight has now flown over 250,000 veterans to see their memorials. While Honor Flight began as a program solely for World War II veterans, many "hubs" are now taking Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflict veterans to Washington D.C. This trip allows us to honor America's veterans for their service and sacrifice. It is the intention of Honor Flight Long Island to honor as many of our fellow Long Islanders, who helped to preserve our freedom, as we can by providing them a free trip to visit their memorial.
"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces
but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers."
John F. Kennedy
Founder of Honor Flight Long Island,
Chris Cosich
My name is Earl Morse and I started the Honor Flight organization back in 2005. Shortly after our first year, Chris contacted me and wanted to know what he could do to start a hub out on Long Island. I told him everything he needed to do to be successful to start an Honor Flight hub. He did everything I suggested and then some. It failed. People just weren’t buying the fact that any organization would fly WWII Veterans to Washington D.C. to visit their long-awaited National Memorial for free. Everyone turned him away but Chris never gave up. I always admired him for that and I always will. Long Island, New York and our nation is a better place because of Chris Cosich’s determination, patriotism and compassion.
Excerpt from Earl Morse letter to Chris’s Mom