Smith Fights to Reverse Biden Administration Decision to End Honor Flight Escorts for Veterans

Press Release

On April 11, Congressman Jason Smith joined 75 of his House colleagues in calling on President Biden's Department of Interior to reverse the agency's unwarranted decision to stop providing the Honor Flight Network with the vehicular escort services they have given in the past.

"Of all the terrible decisions this administration has made, the decision to end vehicular escorts for elderly veterans who want to pay their respects to fellow servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice may be its most cruel decision yet," said Congressman Smith. "Our veterans have made enormous sacrifices to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Time and time again these men and women have answered the call -- the least we can do is offer them an experience that honors their great service."

The Honor Flight Network has provided more than 245,000 veterans with an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they can visit the war memorials commemorating their service to our country. Previously, the Department of Interior (DOI) has provided these veterans with escorts from the National Park Service's United States Park Police (USPP). These escorts allowed transports to load and unload these veteran groups, which usually include disabled and elderly veterans, close to the monuments. But Interior has recently indicated that they will no longer provide vehicular escorts to Honor Flights, which will make it difficult for many of these groups to access the Memorials with their lack of accessible parking.

"One of my most cherished memories as a member of Congress is greeting Honor Flights getting ready to leave Missouri," said Rep. Smith. "So many veterans describe the Honor Flight as a meaningful and moving experience, so it's unimaginable to me that any administration would act to make these visits more difficult. I hope the Biden administration reverses course on this decision as soon as possible."

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