The local chapter of Blue Star Mothers is always front and center in helping to honor our nation’s veterans. They are again assisting with the Honor Flight program and will be particularly involved on Sunday, October 11.
What is Honor Flight?
It is a non-profit program dedicated to honoring America’s veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C., to visit various patriotic sites including the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial, as well as the Changing of the Guard of the Unknown Soldier.
Veterans travel free of charge on an overnight or one-day trip to visit these sites and to have their service honored through this program.
Laura Farnsworth is the president of the local Blue Star Mothers, and Webb Weekly interviewed her here about the organization’s participation and help with the patriotic undertaking.
How did the local Blue Star Mothers get involved with the Honor Flights?
“Our chapter became involved with Honor Flight when the then Chapter President heard about the Honor Flight program and their mission and brought it back to the members of her chapter. All of the members enthusiastically agreed that bringing Honor Flight to our local Williamsport veterans would be a wonderful way for our Blue Star Mothers to support our veterans in a more hands-on, meaningful way and that being able to give local veterans a day of recognition in Washington, D.C. perfectly aligned with our values and our mission.
“With that shared conviction, our chapter reached out to the Honor Flight Philadelphia hub to ask for guidance. Andrew Schiavello, President of Honor Flight Philadelphia, was more than eager to help. He and his team offered their support without hesitation, traveling to Williamsport and providing everything we needed to turn this vision into reality. And with that partnership, and a whole lot of work and determination, Honor Flight Williamsport was born.”
What has been the reaction of local veterans?
“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and deeply emotional. Many veterans tell us they are so excited to be able to go on a trip like this with their military brothers and experience the memorials in a way they never have, if they have even been able to visit them at all.
“The veterans who are from the Philadelphia area who have been able to go on an Honor Flight trip have said being honored in this way has made them feel seen, appreciated, and celebrated — sometimes for the first time since their service. The welcomehome event especially touches them, because it gives them the recognition they didn’t always receive when they returned home decades ago.”
About how many local veterans have participated in Honor Flights?
“None of our local veterans have previously participated in this trip, as one of the rules of Honor Flight is to make sure as many veterans as possible are afforded the opportunity to make this trip, and due to limited space and funding, we can only allow one trip per veteran. To date, more than 300,000 veterans across the country have been able to participate in the trip.”
How have local Blue Star Mothers felt about being involved in the Honor Flights?
“Our members feel honored and grateful to be part of something so meaningful. Supporting the Honor Flight mission allows us to serve veterans directly, connect with their families, and bring our community together in a powerful way. It’s emotional, uplifting, and truly one of the most rewarding things we do. Every one of us has a child who is serving or has served in the military, so anything we can do to support these heroes is a way for us to give back in honor of our children.”
If someone wants to make a donation to Honor Flights through local Blue Star Mothers, how do they?
“They can donate directly through our local Blue Star Mothers chapter by contacting us at PO Box 851, Williamsport, PA 17703, attending one of our events, or making a donation directly on the Honor Flight Philadelphia donation page, http://www.honorflightphiladelphia.org. These trips are possible solely through the generosity of our donors. Every dollar goes toward supporting the Honor Flight mission—covering travel costs, meals, supplies, and the welcomehome celebration.”
How can veteran motorcyclists, first responders, or anyone else get involved in escorting the Vets from Lewisburg to here?
“First responders and motorcyclists who would like to help escort the buses home will be meeting at Lewisburg Walmart on October 11, 2026 at 1:45 pm. We would love to have as many riders as possible lead the buses into Penn College Campus. On a recent trip I attended in Philadelphia, the look I saw on the veterans’ faces when they saw the riders and the crowd coming out to cheer and escort them home brought tears to my eyes and is truly something I will never forget. For more information about the escort, riders can contact Rhonda at rhondarich03@gmail.com or just show up at Lewisburg Walmart at 1:45 p.m. In addition, we would love to have the route lined with cheering patriotic flag wavers from South Williamsport over the Maynard Street bridge into the campus.”
Some additional thoughts from Farnsworth:
This trip is more than a visit to Washington, D.C. — it’s a moment of healing, reflection, and honor. Many of these veterans have carried their stories quietly for decades, and this experience gives them the recognition they never received when they came home. For some veterans, this is the first time they’ve stood before the memorials built in their honor. Watching them see their service reflected in stone is powerful, and it brings a sense of closure that many have needed for years. Their sacrifices shaped the freedoms we enjoy today. Honoring them is one of the most important things we can do as a community
Honor Flight isn’t just a trip; it’s a chance to say, Thank you. We see you. Your service mattered.
