NGAUS Members Sought to Help Escort Honor Flights

A new National Guard Educational Foundation program will cover the cost for most NGAUS members to help escort Honor Flights of veterans traveling to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials that commemorate their service.

So-called Guardians stay by the side of their assigned veteran for the entire trip, providing physical assistance and logistical support. Veterans pay nothing for the trip, thanks to a long list of sponsors, but Guardians usually donate at least $400 for the experience.

The George and Charlotte Demetriades Guardian Program, which is administered by the NGEF in conjunction with the Honor Flight Network, will pay that expense for NGAUS active-annual, active-life and digital-life members.

The program is underwritten by the Demetriades’ son, George Demetriades Jr., who served as an officer in the Maryland and Tennessee Army National Guards. He now owns and operates two Chick-fil-A restaurants in Arlington, Virginia.

George Jr. said he is honoring his late mother, a teacher, and his late father, a former North Carolina National Guard officer, by joining two organizations that “are a big part of my life — the National Guard and Honor Flight.”

“I believe it’s critically important, especially for our younger Guard leaders, to meet and learn from those who came before us,” he said. “And this program will remove the financial barrier for most NGAUS members currently serving in the National Guard to be an Honor Flight Guardian.”

Honor Flights began in May 2005 when a retired Air Force captain organized the first trips using private planes to take World War II veterans from Springfield, Ohio, to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials.

Today, the Honor Flight Network brings more than 20,000 veterans annually to the nation’s capital. Nearly 50,000 are currently on waitlists to join a flight. Many have never been to Washington, D.C.

Flights are organized by 128 active Honor Flight Hubs across 46 states nationwide. The NGEF will pay the Hub directly from the Guardian Program for space on the plane and expenses in Washington, D.C. Most Honor Flights are one-day trips.

Veterans typically visit the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard. The trips often conclude with a large, cheering and flag-waving celebration at the airport upon their return.

“This program will provide some unforgettable experiences,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS/NGEF president. “The Guardians will learn what service was like during the Korean and Vietnam War eras. And I’m sure the veterans will be curious about things today. The shared bonds of uniformed service will close the generation gap very quickly.”

The NGEF first announced the program in early January. A number of association members have already applied through their local Hub and have a seat on an upcoming flight, said Luke Guthrie, the NGEF director.

More information, including application procedures and a list of 2026 scheduled Honor Flights, is available at www.ngef.org/demetriades-honor-flight-guardian-program.