Honor Flight hits 4,000-veteran mark at PIE

Seventy-five veterans stepped off the 58th Honor Flight at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) on Tuesday, Sept. 15, pushing the program past a milestone: 4,000 total veterans served.

The free, one-day trip carried the group to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials honoring their service. WFLA first reported the evening homecoming, which drew a crowd to the airport tarmac.

Vietnam Veteran Returns to Welcome Fellow Vets

Among those waiting was Vietnam veteran John Marshall, who flew on Mission 57 in June. Marshall returned to PIE to greet his fellow veterans and described his own Honor Flight as one of the best experiences of his life, according to WFLA.

Nonprofit, Airport Have Hosted Flights for Years

Honor Flight of West Central Florida has organized the trips since 2010. The chapter's president, Tracy Luchtenberg, said in a pre-event press release that the organization was eager to continue its 2026 season.

"We invite our community to show their support by wearing patriotic colors and joining us for a heartfelt and memorable Welcome Home celebration," Luchtenberg said in the release.

PIE has hosted 56 Honor Flights since 2011 on the same airfield that once trained World War II fighter pilots as Pinellas Army Airfield. Airport Director Mark Sprague called it an honor for PIE to host the event.

Public Reception Offered Free Parking, Pub Access

Tuesday's Welcome Home reception was open to the public, with free parking in the airport's short- and long-term lots. The District Pub, located pre-security on the second floor between Ticketing A and B, opened from 5 to 8 p.m. before the veterans' arrival.

Manifest Listed 76 Veterans; 75 Made Flight

The pre-flight manifest had listed 76 veterans for Mission 58. WFLA's post-event report counted 75 on the actual flight.

Mission 57, which flew June 9, carried 76 veterans to Washington, D.C. That trip was the one Marshall called life-changing enough to bring him back to the tarmac three months later.