Requirements To Be A Guardian
Guardians are individuals who accompany a Veteran on their trip to Washington D.C. for the day. Typically a guardian is a family member (not a spouse or significant other) or friend, and is a generation YOUNGER than the Veteran and in good physical shape.
Guardians will be asked to perform various duties throughout the day including assisting with loading/unloading wheelchairs on the bus, pushing your Veteran in a wheelchair up inclines or down inclines. You will need to be able to assist a Veteran with their medications if necessary, bathroom activities and be fully capable of assisting with any of their medical needs.
Guardians need enough stamina to be able to walk 5 – 7 miles throughout the day without hesitation.
Guardians are also required to make a small donation to Honor Flight. We are currently working to establish what this donation will be. This donation is tax deductible and covers a portion of your participation in the days trip. Your donation will NOT due until the time your Veteran is finally called for their trip. Based on the Veterans service time and when they applied.
You will also be required to attend an in-person guardian training session. If you are a guardian that lives out of state, options will be made available at the time of your confirmation call.
You will also be subject to a background check due to restrictions at Arlington National Cemetery. We will ask if you have ever been previously convicted of a felony. This may result in your not being eligible to serve as a guardian. Arlington also will have the ability to know if you have any open warrants.
Guardian Application
Here is our guardian application. Please download, fill it out and then you can either scan/email to us or send it to us at our U.S. Post office address.
What Does Being A Guardian Mean?
Our guardians are not just escorts for the day, they are working people on the trip. First and foremost the priority of a guardian is to ensure that his/her Veteran has a fantastic day and all their needs are met. You are there to be a companion, friend, sounding board, an arm to steady them, a photographer, whatever they need. Especially our Vietnam Veterans – they have seen and been through some of the worst. Many have not yet had closure. You are there to steady them if the get weak, be that arm when they need it.
Guardians are also there to work – helping to unload & load wheelchairs on buses, assist veterans on and off the buses, pitch in whenever necessary. Another aspect – is the ability to stay behind with your veteran if something medically were to happen and the veteran requires local medical assistance that takes them away from our trip – and in rare circumstances – requires them stay behind. Are you willing to do this? If your veteran would become impaired due to illness, could you care for them, push them in a wheelchair all day, if necessary? To be that comfort, that stead fast person they will need if they have to stay behind. If you have questions about this – do not hesitate to talk to any of our board members.
