Clinton County communities will have the opportunity to come together later this month to give local veterans a send-off worthy of their service.
Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso is coordinating a special Honor Flight Celebration on Monday, Aug. 31, recognizing local veterans who have participated in an Honor Flight during 2026, as well as those preparing to depart the following day on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. at Standin’ Proud and will include guest speakers, tribute videos and a recognition ceremony before the veterans and their guardians depart on a parade route through Clinton County.
Organizers are inviting local schools, families and community members to line the route and help create a memorable show of appreciation for the veterans.
Those attending are encouraged to wave American flags, display patriotic signs and bring plenty of smiles and cheers as the veterans make their way through the county.
The parade is expected to depart Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum (1507 Carlyle Road, Bartelso) at approximately 12:45 p.m. and travel east on Illinois Route 161 before heading north on Slant Road and then west on Old Route 50.
The procession will then travel to Carlyle at approximately 1 p.m. before continuing through Beckemeyer, Breese and Aviston. It is expected to reach Trenton at approximately 1:45 p.m. and will conclude at the intersection of Old Route 50 and Route 160 in Trenton.
The following morning, Tuesday, Sept. 1, the local veterans and their guardians will report early to Springfield to participate in Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Mission #78.
The flight will carry approximately 90 veterans to Washington, D.C., for a day dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifice. The flight will carry five veterans from the Korean War era and 87 veterans from the Vietnam War era.
While in the nation’s capital, the veterans are scheduled to visit the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as other additional stops.
The veterans plan to return back to Springfield later that evening.
The Honor Flight program provides veterans an opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., accompanied by guardians, to visit the memorials built in recognition of their military service. The one-day trip, including transportation, meals and other expenses, is provided at no cost to the veterans and is funded through donations.
Locally, much of the effort to connect Clinton County veterans with Honor Flight opportunities — including helping with applications and coordinating local send-off celebrations — has been led by Carl Huels, Kathy Rakers Kampwerth, Greg Riechman and Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum Administrator Larissa Monken.
Over the past two years, organizers have helped honor more than 100 local veterans through the ceremonial send-offs and related Honor Flight efforts.
The celebration will not only recognize those preparing for the Sept. 1 flight, but also local veterans who have already had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight during 2026.
Organizers hope residents throughout the parade route will turn out to make sure the veterans know their service — and their sacrifices — have not been forgotten.
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no government funding. Over 5,800 central Illinois veterans have been served on LLHF’s 70-plus flights. It is only able to honor veterans due to the generous donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, merchandise sales and supporting efforts of the many local businesses, individuals and organizations within our service area.
