To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Derrick L. Britton, Veterans Services Director
title
RE: Approval of a request by Genesee County's Department of Veteran Services to provide funding, in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00, to allow for continued Mid-Michigan Honor Flights for Genesee County Veterans
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of funding in the amount of $20,000 to Mid-Michigan Honor Flight for operations, logistics, meals and travel of Genesee County Veterans for biannual flights to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials and connect with other veterans. The amount is to be paid from account number 2930-689.00-900.005/Community Relations.
BACKGROUND:
Mid-Michigan Honor Flight is a 100% volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to transporting World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and terminally ill veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit their war memorials completely free of charge. It is a registered 501c3 organization, which is an independent regional hub of the national Honor Flight Network. The organization handles all lodging, meals, flight logistics, and standard gear for the veterans, funding the trips entirely through public donations and local fundraisers. Veterans are required to travel with a "guardian," who is often a veteran themselves. Guardians are responsible for physically assisting veterans prior to flight, during the flight, and during visits to the memorials.
DISCUSSION:
Mid-Michigan Honor Flight routinely has "missions" that fly from Bishop International Airport to Washington D.C. The most recent flight took place June 15-16, 2026, with another flight scheduled for September 15-16, 2026. Michigan's first ever all women Honor Flight took place on June 11-12, 2024 from Bishop International Airport. On the previous flight, there were a total of 76 veterans, including 1 World War II veteran, 6 Korean War veterans, and 69 Vietnam War veterans.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT O...
Click here for full text