COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Military Order of the Purple Heart is proud to salute “Honor Flight Columbus,” now in its 9th year of honoring more than 4,500 service men and women from WWII and the Korean War with day-long trips to see the memorials built in their honor and other sites in the Nation’s Capital city. This will be the 79th Honor Flight from Columbus.
On October 22, 2016, Honor Flight Columbus will bring a special charter flight of approximately 100 Purple Heart recipients from Central Ohio on a special Honor Flight, marking the first Honor Flight exclusively for Vietnam War veterans. Upon their arrival in our Nation’s Capital, the honorees will receive a special reception at the East Knoll of the Vietnam Memorial, where they will be presented with the official pin commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. The day will include a number of distinguished speakers from the Department of Defense, Ohio lawmakers, a military band, and an Honor Guard. They will also have the opportunity to visit the military monuments on the Washington Mall and lay a wreath at the Vietnam Memorial before returning home to Columbus.
The "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA. Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, JROTC Leadership Awards, Scholarships, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families.
