Honor Flight Rochester Has Served 5,000 Veterans

Mission 98 brought 80 local veterans home to Rochester after a trip to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Military

A tall neoclassical stone memorial pillar stands in a serene park under a clear blue morning sky. — Honor Flight Rochester reached a major milestone this week, having now transported more than 5,000 veterans to visit national memorials in Washington, D.C. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Honor Flight Rochester recently returned to the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport with 80 veterans on its 98th mission. The organization has now surpassed the milestone of transporting more than 5,000 veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

The program ensures veterans are able to visit national memorials despite physical limitations. By expanding to include bus transportation for those unable to fly, the organization continues to fulfill its mission to leave no veteran behind.

Mission 98 included 80 veterans on the flight, while an additional 21 veterans from Livingston County were transported by bus. This bus program is supported by a grant from the New York State Dwyer Program.

The players

Honor Flight Rochester

This local organization facilitates trips for veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. at no cost to the participants.

New York State Dwyer Program

This state-funded initiative provides support and peer-to-peer services for veterans and their families.

The details

The bus service serves veterans who are unable to travel by air due to medical reasons. The group of 21 Livingston County veterans began their journey on Friday before joining the larger mission, which departed on Saturday.

The bus group departed Livingston County on Friday.
The main flight departed for Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
Mission 98 returned to Rochester on Sunday.
The next honor flight is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Political Context

While these programs receive significant community support, some critics argue that the burden of veteran care should be handled primarily through federal VA funding rather than regional grants. This debate centers on whether non-governmental organizations and state-level grants are sufficient to address the long-term needs of an aging veteran population.

The expansion of the bus program means that more local veterans with medical restrictions now have access to memorial visits. This change ensures that geographical distance and flight accessibility no longer serve as barriers for those residing in surrounding areas like Livingston County.

The takeaway

The addition of bus service highlights the importance of adapting logistics to meet the evolving physical needs of an aging veteran population. Ensuring accessibility allows more participants to share their experiences and receive the recognition they earned through their service.