Seventy-five veterans from across the Suncoast took off from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Tuesday morning on Honor Flight Mission XXV, bound for a same-day visit to the nation’s capital. The trip runs from dawn until late evening, with stops at the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Military Women’s Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery, where the group will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
If you’re tracking a family member on board, note the schedule updates: departure moved to just after 6:30am instead of 5:45am, and the flight numbers are now 4960 from SRQ to IAD and 4961 for the return. The itinerary itself hasn’t changed.
The community moment comes tonight. Around 9pm, the flight lands back at SRQ and the veterans will receive a water salute on the tarmac. Families and community members are encouraged to attend and line up for the welcome home. ABC7 has a full crew on the flight and is producing an hour-long special airing on Labor Day for anyone who can’t make it in person. Will we see you at SRQ tonight?
