Davis Applauds US Park Police Decision to Resume Police Escorts for Veteran Honor Flights to DC

Statement

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis is applauding a decision by the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Park Police (USPP) to resume police escorts for veteran Honor Flight visits to Washington, D.C. USPP logistical support to Hubs helps ensure the visits run smoothly and safely.

Our veterans are our heroes. Their sacrifice for our country allows us to enjoy the Freedoms we have today as Americans. The least we can do for our veterans is allow them to visit the war memorials that were built to honor their service," said Rep. Davis. "I applaud the decision by the U.S. Park Police and National Park Service to resume police escorts for Honor Flight visits to our Nation's capital. The escorts ensure our veterans have a safe and smooth visit. It was the right thing to do. Our veterans -- our heroes -- deserve it."

Joint Statement from U.S. Park Police Acting Chief Christopher Stock, National Mall & Memorial Parks Superintendent Jeff Reinbold, and Honor Flight Network Chairman of Board of Directors Matthew Shuman and Chief Executive Officer Meredith Rosenbeck:

"The Honor Flight Network, National Park Service (NPS) and the United States Park Police (USPP) announced today the resumption of regularly scheduled Honor Flights for veterans visiting memorials in Washington, D.C. At the request of the Honor Flight Network, NPS and USPP support of Honor Flight visits will begin on June 1. Since 2005, our organizations have had the honor of partnering to provide memorable experiences for our nation's veterans who visit the World War II, Korean War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans memorials on the National Mall. The Honor Flight Network suspended its hosted trips early in the pandemic.

"Under a renewed partnership, park rangers and USPP officers will greet Honor Flight veterans at their chosen memorial, facilitate parking and meet with the veterans. The NPS will provide a ranger-led program about the memorials, if desired, and USPP will safely facilitate smooth flow through traffic and an escort from the Lincoln Memorial, across Arlington Memorial Bridge to Arlington National Cemetery.

"USPP and the Honor Flight Network have been meeting in recent weeks to discuss our shared commitment of continuing to work together and the best way to safely support hosted visits while also ensuring USPP can meet its primary law enforcement and public safety mission.

"It is an honor of the highest order for the Honor Flight Network, USPP and the National Park Service to serve our nation's veterans in this small way, and we look forward to continuing our long partnership that recognizes their service and sacrifice."

In a previous letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Rep. Davis and other members of Congress urged the Department of Interior (DOI) to facilitate the return of Honor Flight Hub trips to war memorials and monuments in Washington, DC, by bringing back police escorts for those trips.

The nonprofit organization Honor Flight Network, founded in 2005, is a national network of independent Hubs working together to honor our nation's veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to the memorials in Washington, D.C., a trip many of our veterans may not otherwise be able to take. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the chance to share this momentous trip with other veterans, to remember friends and comrades lost, and share their stories and experiences with each other.

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