News Release

Joint Statement from U.S. Park Police Acting Chief Christopher Stock, National Mall & Memorial Parks Superintendent Jeff Reinbold, and Honor Flight Network Chief Executive Officer Meredith Rosenbeck and Chairman of Board of Directors Matthew Shuman

Veterans from Honor Flight Central Florida at the World War II Memorial

Honor Flight Central Florida image

News Release Date: May 2, 2022

Contact: Mike Litterst - National Park Service, 202-306-4166

Contact: Sgt. Tom Twiname - U.S. Park Police, 202-556-9181

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Honor Flight Network announced today the resumption of NPS and USPP support of Honor Flight visits to begin again on June 1.  Since 2005, our organizations have had the honor of partnering to provide memorable experiences for our nation’s veterans who visit the World War II, Korean War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans memorials on the National Mall. 

Under a renewed partnership, park rangers and USPP officers will greet Honor Flight veterans at their chosen memorial, facilitate parking and meet with the veterans. The NPS will provide a ranger-led program about the memorials, if desired, and USPP will safely facilitate smooth flow through traffic and an escort from the Lincoln Memorial across Arlington Memorial Bridge to Arlington National Cemetery. 

USPP and the Honor Flight Network have met in recent weeks to discuss our shared commitment to continuing to work together and the best way to safely support hosted visits while also ensuring USPP can meet its primary law enforcement and public safety mission.  

Prior to the Honor Flight Network suspending trips to DC in the spring of 2020, it was increasingly difficult for USPP to consistently provide sufficient law enforcement officers to support the nearly 300 honor flight escorts each year. Historically, USPP has also escorted groups to and from all three area airports using emergency lights and sirens to expedite movement through congested traffic, a practice that is now recognized to be inappropriate in non-emergency situations and inconsistent with modern law enforcement best practices. In a shared commitment to a safety-first approach, the Honor Flight Network and USPP will focus law enforcement support around the memorial core in Washington, D.C. 

It is an honor of the highest order for the National Park Service and Honor Flight Network to serve our nation’s veterans in this way, and we look forward to continuing our long partnership that recognizes their service and sacrifice.