Covington Region Honor Flight officials have kicked off fundraising and are looking for veterans and guardians for their next trip.

The program takes veterans, free of charge, to Washington, D.C., for the day, where they will visit sites such as the World War II memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Korean and Vietnam memorials.

The trip, which is planned for the first week of October in 2018, can accommodate a total of 54 veterans, guardians and staff members.

“We have already received eight veterans applications in anticipation of our next trip,” CRHF chairperson Kendra Majors said. “We’ve also had some interest come from those who wish to volunteer as a guardian.”

This will be the organization’s eighth trip to the nation’s capital with veterans who have served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“We welcome veterans from these eras to participate in our next flight,” she said. “As always, our priority will be to take any World War II veterans who not traveled with us.”

CRHF is one of only two hubs in Alabama that still flies veterans to Washington, D.C.

Last trip, the organization took veterans from all across Alabama.

Guardians are needed as well. Guardians are volunteers, who pay their own way, and serve as a buddy to one or two veterans for the day.

The cost for a guardian will be around $550, which includes airfare, ground transportation and all meals for the day.

“Being a guardian on Honor Flight is something you won’t ever forget,” Majors said. “It’s an opportunity to say, ‘thank you,’ to men and women who made sacrifices while serving our country.”

Fundraising efforts are under way.

“It costs us around $23,000 to make a trip,” she said. “We cover airfare, buses and all meals and snacks for the veterans. We couldn’t do it without the generosity of so many organizations, clubs and individuals.”

Those interested in donating to CRHF can send a check to Covington Region Honor Flight c/o Covington County Commission, P.O. Box 188 Andalusia, AL 36420.

Veterans and guardian applications are available on the organization’s Facebook page – Covington Region Honor Flight or by emailing covingtonregionhonorflight@outlook.com.