DC Guardian Program 2025

Every Veteran participating in an Honor Flight is assigned a Guardian for the day. Most often, the Guardian is a family member, friend, or volunteer from the Veteran’s home city who accompanies the Veteran on the plane or bus. Occasionally, however, some Honor Flight hubs request some DC-based Guardians to accompany Veterans throughout their day here.

Assessing and selecting a DC-based guardian is the responsibility of each hub.  The DCA Ground Crew is not involved, nor does it make any representations to volunteers or to the hub.  As per the Honor Flight Regulation Manual, each hub must make an independent determination as to the qualifications of an individual to serve as a Guardian.  Additionally, each hub must independently determine the physical and mental ability of a particular individual to properly fill the role of a Guardian, which might also include pre-screening of volunteers wishing to serve as Guardians.

Since COVID, the number of hubs using DC-based Guardians has dwindled, so there is no guarantee you will be contacted by a hub.  However, the DCA Ground Crew does provide the hubs with a list of volunteers who would like to serve as a Guardian.  Hubs will be responsible for reaching out to you directly; and providing you with their own Guardian training.  Hubs may also require that you complete their own Guardian application and request any additional required information directly from you before confirming you.  The hubs set the scope of Guardian duties.  Please be advised that if you volunteer as a Guardian, you might be asked to serve as a Floater instead, depending on the needs of the hub. 

Guardians are expected to meet the Honor Flight at the airport gate or hotel upon arrival, spend the entire day with the group.  From the moment the Veterans are in our hands until we return them to their loved ones in the evening, Guardians will be asked to treat these heroes as if they are family and ensure that every Veteran has a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience.  Guardians attest that they are in good physical shape and can push a wheelchair all day on uneven terrain and in any weather condition.

Qualifications of Guardians/Floaters:

• Attest to the hub that you are physically and mentally capable of performing the essential safety function of the Guardian role:
  • • Able to push a Veteran in a wheelchair for a minimum of one hour at a time, up to 3-5 total miles per day, including up and down inclines and in all kinds of weather (cold, heat, rain)
    • Assist Veterans up and down bus stairs
    • Assist Veterans getting in/out of seats and wheelchairs
    • Are capable of independent communication with Veterans, Hub staff and others
    • Do not have any limiting physical strength or agility, etc., and do not require use of canes, crutches, walkers, slings, etc.
  • Live in the DC area and have own transportation to airport or hotel meeting location (vehicle, public transportation)
  • Commit to staying throughout the day
  • Be able to commit to a date (no last-minute cancellation)
  • Must be attentive to the surroundings and the location and needs of all the Veterans without distraction.

For more information on being listed as a DC-based guardian, please email dcguardians@honorflight.org.