Davis and Meijer join colleagues in requesting vehicle escorts for Honor Flight Network veterans

Representative Rodney Davis
U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Peter Meijer (R-MI) joined 75 of their congressional colleagues in calling for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to provide vehicle escort services to the Honor Flight Network, a nationwide network of independent centers working together to honor U.S. military veterans with an all-expenses-paid trip to memorials in Washington, D.C.
“Honor Flight is an incredible organization that serves our veterans and helps them experience the inspiring and humbling monuments along the National Mall in person,” Rep. Davis said in an April 12 statement. “The Biden administration and the Department of the Interior should do whatever they can to help facilitate the return of those trips to Washington. Our veterans – our heroes – deserve it.
Since its inception, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 245,000 World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, terminally ill and injured veterans on these trips. Previously, the DOI provided veterans with National Park Service United States Park Police (USPP) vehicle escorts.
“In order to accomplish this laudable vision, it is imperative that the DOI provide USPP vehicle escort services to honor flight hubs expected to arrive this spring,” lawmakers wrote in an April 11 letter sent to DOI Secretary Deb Haaland. “Escort services play a critical logistical role in ensuring these unique opportunities run smoothly and safely as hubs navigate the busy National Mall.”
Rep. Meijer, Rep. Davis, and their colleagues also noted that it is especially important that physically disabled veterans have the parking access necessary to ensure ease of access to each war memorial, according to their letter.
“As a country, we have asked a lot of our men and women in uniform. Time and time again they have answered the call,” the members wrote. “We ask that you grant Honor Flight Hubs the necessary vehicle escorts that our veterans have clearly earned.”