We believe everyone should be able to be informed about the place they live so we don't charge to read LkldNow. Instead of paywalls or subscription fees, we rely on contributions from readers like you to fund our journalism. Give Monthly, One-time or Once a Year.
Stay in the know
Get the scoop on what’s happening in Lakeland. Sign up to our weekly newsletter to get all your local news in one email!
Thank you for being a LkldNow reader!
An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link.
Veterans and their guardians wait to board a chartered plane Tuesday morning, April 25, during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow
1-minute read
Flight to Honor Polk is now accepting applications for Mission 11. Veterans and community members are invited to apply to travel to Washington and visit the nation’s war memorials.
The one-day trip will depart and return to Lakeland Linder International Airport on May 5, 2026.
Any U.S. armed forces veteran who has not previously participated in an Honor Flight or Flight to Honor is eligible, including those outside Polk County. The program prioritizes veterans with severe medical conditions and those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam.
The trip is free for participating veterans.
The veterans are also accompanied by community members who serve as guardians on the trip. Previous guardians have included former Mayor Bill Mutz and his wife, Pam, Lakeland and Polk County first responders, former LkldNow reporter Kimberly C. Moore, and others. Guardians are asked to donate $500 to support the mission and must be 18-70.
For those who cannot participate but would like to support the effort, donations to Flight to Honor can be made through GiveWell Community Foundation.
Looking back – Flight to Honor Mission 8, April 2023
Veterans and their guardians wait to board a chartered plane Tuesday morning, April 25, during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowA water arch greeted the veterans at BWI Airport. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow86 veterans lined up for a photograph at the WWII Memorial during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow86 veterans lines up for a photograph at the WWII Memorial during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowU.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Ray Dobles in 1971. | Courtesy Ray DoblesU.S. Marine Corps veteran Ray Dobles looks at the World War II Memorial during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowU.S. Marine Corps veteran Ray Dobles walks along The Vietnam Veterans Memorial during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowU.S. Marine Corps veteran Ray Dobles looks at a display of wreaths at the Korean War Memorial during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowU.S. Marine Corps veteran Ray Dobles watches the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowBrigadier General John Edwards and his father James Edwards during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Courtesy The Edwards FamilyBrigadier General John Edwards, his daughter Ace, and his father, James Edwards during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Courtesy Lakeland Police DepartmentThe Edwards Family – Ace, l,, Jack, Jennifer, Brig. Gen. John Edwards, Veteran James Edwards, and EleLakleand Mayor Billl Mutch escorts World War II Navy veteran Frank Kurowski of Haines through the airport during the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow An Allegiant Airways plane taxis through an arch of water as part of the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Courtesy Michael CookHundreds of friends, family and residents gathered at Lakeland Linder International Airport for the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowLakeland Police Deaprtment’s Honor Guard at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowU.S. Marine Corps veteran Ray Dobles shakes the hand of Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowHundreds of friends, family and residents gathered at Lakeland Linder International Airport for the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowHundreds of friends, family and residents gathered at Lakeland Linder International Airport for the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowCheerleaders at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowA returning veteran at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowSummerlin Academy’s Color Guard at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowThe Lakeland Police Honor Guard salute veterans at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Courtesy LPDA band plays as people cheer for veterans returning from a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNowA Boy Scout stands with an American flag at the Welcome Home Ceremony of the 2023 Polk Veterans Council Flight to Honor. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow
Anna Toms was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo., where she cultivated a love for writing and eventually earned her Ph.D. in literature and the humanities. She is an experienced educator who has taught students from middle school to college to think critically and express themselves clearly. Anna moved to Lakeland in June of 2020.
