Honor Flight Maine sends 76 veterans to Washington for weekend of remembrance

Honor Flight Maine sends 76 veterans to Washington for weekend of remembrance

Honor Flight Maine is sending 76 veterans to Washington, D.C., on Friday as part of its third trip of 2026, giving them the opportunity to visit the nation's military memorials and attend the first public screening of a new Vietnam War documentary.

Honor Flight Maine is sending 76 veterans to Washington, D.C., on Friday as part of its third trip of 2026, giving them the opportunity to visit the nation's military memorials and attend the first public screening of a new Vietnam War documentary.

Honor Flight Maine is sending 76 veterans to Washington, D.C., on Friday as part of its third trip of 2026, giving them the opportunity to visit the nation's military memorials and attend the first public screening of a new Vietnam War documentary.

The group is expected to take off from the Portland International Jetport around 10:30 a.m.

The group includes 75 Vietnam and Korean War veterans and one World War II veteran, along with their guardians.

According to the National World War II museum, less than .2% of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive in 2026.

"There are so few of them left," said Major General Tom Spencer, the chairman for Honor Flight Maine. "It's a very special opportunity to be able to share an event like this from someone who served in World War II."

After arriving in the D.C. area, the veterans will travel to Constitution Hall for the premiere of Where We Once Stood, a feature-length documentary about Vietnam veterans returning to Vietnam decades after the war. The film is narrated and produced by actor Gary Sinise, who is expected to attend the screening and participate in a Q&A session with veterans featured in the documentary.

On Saturday, the itinerary includes visits to Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Veterans will also stop at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the U.S. Air Force Memorial, the Military Women's Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the U.S. Navy Memorial before an evening dinner in Laurel, Maryland.

The group is scheduled to return to Portland on Sunday afternoon, when a welcome home celebration is planned at the Portland International Jetport following their arrival.

Honor Flight Maine organizes trips to Washington, D.C., to give veterans the opportunity to visit memorials dedicated to their military service. Friday's flight marks the organization's third trip of the year.