Amid ongoing efforts to bring thousands of aging veterans to visit the nation’s capital in 2022, Honor Flight Network supporters are calling on administration officials to resume police escorts for memorial tours to ensure the safety of all involved.

Since 2005, honor flight Officials have helped more than 240,000 veterans from across the country travel to Washington, DC for the opportunity to visit war memorials and national monuments.

In many cases, the veterans are elderly and in poor health, and can only make the trip with special medical and financial assistance provided by the group.

The group’s operations were largely shut down by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but have resumed in recent months. Officials are planning a major event on the National Mall in May to coincide with the 250,000th visit by veterans in the group’s history.

However, recent operations have been complicated by a lack of park police escorts for tour buses visiting the memorials.

Many areas of the National Mall — especially around the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial Wall — have limited parking, making it difficult for veterans in wheelchairs to access the areas.

Fifteen House Republicans sent a letter to Interior Department leaders asking U.S. Park Police officials to restore ‘vehicle escort services’ for upcoming events, and for more information on the reasons why they were arrested.

Democratic lawmakers have conducted similar investigations in recent months, seeking ways to resume escorts and concerned about the department’s lack of cooperation.

“Honor Flight has a long-standing handshake agreement with the Park Police to provide police escorts to Honor Flights and veterans visiting memorials erected in their honor,” said Matthew Shuman, Chairman of the Board. of directors of Honor Flight.

“These police escorts ensure the safety of veterans, many of whom are physically disabled, and ensure they have the opportunity and time to visit memorials, reflect on their service and the sacrifices of their fellow veterans. Without them, veterans spend less time at memorials and in a less safe environment amid the bustle of the nation’s capital.

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But Park Police officials have informed the group that they cannot provide escorts for future events without permission from senior administration.

Secretary Deb Haaland “is deeply committed to honoring the sacrifices made by veterans and their families,” Giovanni Rocco, deputy press secretary for the Department of the Interior, said in a statement to the Military Times.

But he offered no new details or clarification as to why the Park Police escorts were arrested.

Park police officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Republican lawmakers said Honor Flight trips represent “a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some veterans.”

They are pushing for a response to the escort request as soon as possible, to ensure that preparations are completed before the upcoming May event.

Shuman said his group has in the past reimbursed Park Police personnel for escorts, which help provide safe loading and unloading areas for veterans around war memorials.

“Honor Flight is incredibly grateful to the many park police officers who enjoy escorting and assisting veterans,” he said. “We just need their continued support to honor these American heroes.”