How To Be A Guardian

Thank you for being willing to serve as a guardian for South Willamette Valley Honor Flight. We hope you and your Veteran (if you are traveling with one) are as excited about this Honor Flight as we are. We are looking forward to meeting you and having the privilege of escorting you and your veteran to their memorials.

All of the veteran’s expenses are paid for as a thank you for their service to our nation. Guardians and Volunteers expenses for an Honor Flight are covered by your tax-deductible donation (we suggest you verify this with your tax advisor) to SWV Honor Flight.

TO BEGIN THE PROCESS & JOIN THE GUARDIAN LIST:

STEP 1: Review the Guardian Information & Responsibilities

Review the Guardian Information & Responsibilities and make sure this is a role you feel you can do and a program that you are comfortable participating in.

STEP 2: Fill Out your Guardian Application

Submit Application Online

Download, Print & Mail Application

STEP 3: Pay your Guardian Deposit

A $250 good-faith Guardian Deposit is due when you submit your application. The full Guardian donation typically ranges from $1,000 to $1,200, and you will be notified by our Honor Flight hub of the exact amount for your flight. Please include "Guardian fee" and your name in the special instructions line. Checks can be mailed to SWV Honor Flight, PO Box 72150, Springfield, OR 97475.

Pay Deposit Online

STEP 4: Submit your Medical Certificate of Fitness

Fill out your Medical Certificate of Fitness, have it signed by your doctor and send it to us.

Download the form

Download Medical Certificate of Fitness Form

STEP 5: Watch the Guardian Training Video Below

Guardian Training is required by the National Honor Flight Network for all guardians who travel on an Honor Flight with our veterans. The Guardian training will be held after dinner Thursday evening at the Sheraton Hotel and you must sign that you were in attendance at that training. You can also get a sense of what is included in this training by watching this online version. This video takes about 20 minutes to watch, but contains valuable information on your role as a guardian and what to expect from the flight.

ONE MONTH BEFORE DEPARTURE:

STEP 6: Pay your remaining guardian fee

Guardian donation is due one month prior to departure, so we can get the airline ticket issued. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR GUARDIAN DONATION ONLINE via credit or debit card. In the special instructions line, put Guardian fee and your name. You can also pay with a check. Checks can be mailed to SWV Honor Flight, PO Box 72150, Springfield, OR 97475

If someone else is paying your guardian donation, it is your responsibility to see that it gets paid. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF A GUARDIAN DONATION THE MONTH OF THE FLIGHT IF A CANCELLATION OCCURS BY THE VETERAN OR GUARDIAN.

Pay Guardian Fee Online

STEP 7: Collect Mail Call Letters

THIS IS A SURPRISE FOR YOUR VETERAN, PLEASE DO NOT MENTION THIS TO THEM!!

One of the many things we have planned is a Mail Call. We know that often times Mail Call was the highlight of many of our Veteran’s day during their service. In the middle of all the chaos, whether they were in the Pacific, the Atlantic, or on the other side of the country, Mail Call gave them a moment to return home.

As part of our flight, we have revived Mail Call. The Saturday night of our trip we hand packets of letters to our Veterans from their family and friends; letters of gratitude and of love. We will send you a formal letter to share with your family and friends, and any organizations or clubs your Veteran is part of (Elks Lodge, VFW, American Legion, Band of Brothers, Church) to write letters that we can deliver as a special surprise that night.

Mail Call has been one of the most emotional moments for our Veterans. These letters from their loved ones at the end of such an amazing adventure is the best gift that we can give them – your words of gratitude and love will be something they treasure.

Please gather the surprise letters and cards for your Veteran’s Mail Call experience, and put them in an envelope with their name on it. Guardians are asked to bring them with you to the Guardian training in Portland on Thursday night and they will be collected after the training by your Team Leader. Volunteer Guardians may do Mail Call Letters but are not collecting for their veteran. Family members are doing that for veterans.

Sadly, we have many Veterans who simply have no family left. If you are willing or know someone who might be interested in writing a letter or just sending a card for these Veterans, we would be forever in your debt. Just address such a card or letter to "Dear Veteran, and include these in a separate envelope with the mail for your veteran.

ONE WEEK BEFORE DEPARTURE:

STEP 8: Review the Trip Specifics

Please review the following trip specifics so they are fresh on your mind:

You will need your “official” photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) easily accessible to show at airport security.
You CANNOT take your pocket knife on the airline. Please leave it at home! The cost to ship it home from the airport can be as much as $40-$50.
Pack enough of your medications for the entire trip, plus one day (just in case).
Please review the included 3-1-1 information from TSA. If you have liquids or gels larger than 3 ounces in your carry-on, they will not be allowed and will be taken from you. All luggage will be carry-on. One carry-on per person. NO CHECKED LUGGAGE. Backpacks are ideal for carry-ons. Backpacks allow you to have your hands free to help with your veteran’s luggage, push a wheelchair and other assistance. Medical equipment (including C-Pap) can be brought on the plane and is not considered your carry-on. We have to travel light, so PLEASE take only one (1) carry-on piece of luggage. New size requirements for Alaska Airlines limits your carry on size to 22” x 14” x 9” including handles and wheels. You will receive two “Honor Flight” t-shirts to wear on the plane and the tours so you can pack light. Suggestions for Packing: Change of clothes (including socks and underwear), light jacket, good walking shoes, shaving kit & toiletries, prescription medicines, phone & camera, electronic chargers.
This is a NON-SMOKING trip. There are no opportunities to smoke. Hotels, airports,planes, buses, monuments and memorials are all smoke free. If you are a smoker, prepare yourself for four days of no smoking. You may bring approved substitutes (gums, patches, etc.).
Wheelchairs/companion chairs are available from Honor Flight. Please check with us at registration to see if one is reserved for your veteran. If your veteran uses a wheelchair or a companion chair or a cane (walkers are not allowed on an Honor Flight), your vet can bring it along, but you will be responsible for that item and making sure it returns home with your vet. Please let us know if you will be bringing one of these assist units that belongs to your veteran.
Transportation to and from Portland: You will be contacted by your Team Leader regarding transportation to and from Portland. We will be arranging a bus from Springfield and vans from Albany for transportation to Portland and home again. Sign up with your Team Leader for these transportation options. Check with your veteran to make sure they are also signed up for transportation if you are self driving to Portland without yourveteran.
We suggest you eat lunch before arrival at the Sheraton as dinner will be served at approximately 5 pm. Food can be brought on the bus and vans. If you are providing your own transportation, please arrive for check-in between 2:30 and 4:30 that afternoon.
Please share “South Willamette Valley Honor Flight” Facebook page with all of your family members and friends. Make sure they “like” our page so they can follow you on your trip. They will be able to see pictures and videos that are posted throughout every day of the Honor Flight. For those who are interested we can also be found on Instagram.
Keep your veteran’s SURPRISE mail call cards and bring them with you to the Guardian training in Portland and they will be collected after the training by your Team Leader.

Directions to the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel TO THE SHERATON PORTLAND AIRPORT HOTEL

Merge onto I-205 via exit 288 toward I-84/The Dalles/Seattle

Take EXIT 24A -Airport Way W/Portland Airport.

Move left a lane & go past the Exit for Economy Parking. Now you are in Right Hand Lane.

Turn right towards Airport Way Frontage Road, then left on to Frontage Road. Sheraton will be on you right

When you arrive in Portland to start the Honor Flight trip:

Once you get to the Sheraton Portland Airport: If driving please park on the east or north sides of the Sheraton and enter through the front doors. Follow the direction indicators to Registration. We will have your room keys and all other materials you need to check in so PLEASE DO NOT go to the Hotel front desk.
Check in at the Honor Flight registration table, forming two lines: one for last names starting with A-M, and the other for last names starting with N-Z. Name tags and lanyards were handed out before boarding the buses in Springfield and Albany. If you are driving to Portland, you can pick up your name tags at registration in Portland.
Your small cinch packs can be taken on the bus w/meds or anything else needed for the day. (Camera, water bottle, sightseeing pamphlet, etc.)
Wheelchairs will be in the Honor Flight Registration area when you arrive at the hotel. Someone will be available to help you find the one with your veteran’s name on it. Take it to your room when you go there. You and your veteran are responsible for it until we get back to the hotel on Sunday. Vets do not need to use the wheelchair unless they want to but it will always be available for them. Canes are allowed. Extra wheelchairs will be available.
Rooms are double occupancy, and you will share with either your Veteran or another guardian. Each person will be given their own room key.
Please try your t-shirt on when you get to your room. If it does not fit, bring it back to the Honor Flight Registration and we will exchange it for a different size. Please make sure it says GUARDIAN on the back. You will be given two t-shirts to wear Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some guardians and veterans may want to wear an additional shirt UNDER their Honor Flight t- shirt depending on the weather. A light jacket is recommended.
The first Thursday night of the trip, we will be staying at the Sheraton Portland Airport. The Front Desk phone number is (503)281-2500. The rooms are double occupancy and you will share a room with your vet or another guardian.
We depart Portland International Airport on Friday morning and will arrive at the Washington Reagan National Airport Friday evening. Lunch will be provided.
If you or your veteran have any medical implants, i.e., knees, hips, pacemakers, etc. that make it impossible to go through the security magnetometer, please let your team leader know ahead of time. You may be required to have a pat down. Please note, if the security alarm sounds, you will receive a pat down from TSA personnel.
We will stay for two nights at the Westin Washington Dulles Airport. The front desk phone # is (703)793-3366.
We return to Portland on Sunday night. Your family and friends are welcome and encouraged to meet us at the airport just outside the security area. Due to the late arrival we will stay in Portland Sunday night with your departure for home on Monday morning.
If you have family and wish to depart with them from the airport that is okay for you to do but if, and only if, your veteran is also leaving with family from the airport. It is important that you tell your team leader before we depart on Friday.