Marianna Woman’s Club Supports Historic “Flight of Honor” for Women Veterans

By: Shelia Mader

The Marianna Woman’s Club is helping send local women veterans on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington, D.C., as part of a statewide effort honoring those who served in the U.S. military.

Club President Gail Hill said the organization quickly embraced the project after it was introduced by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Florida president, Sarah Deserot. The initiative, known as the “Flight of Honor,” is designed specifically to recognize women veterans across the state.

Deserot had attended several traditional Honor Flights in the past but noticed that women veterans were rarely represented.

“This was her dream project,” Hill explained. Deserot began planning the initiative nearly three years ago with the goal of ensuring women who served their country received the same recognition many male veterans have experienced through similar programs.

GFWC Florida clubs rallied around the idea. The original fundraising goal was $150,000, but members across the state exceeded expectations, raising more than $220,000 to support the trip.

Locally, the Marianna Woman’s Club and other clubs in District Two have played a key role in making sure area veterans can participate. District Two includes clubs in Panama City, Chipley, Wewahitchka, Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Marianna.

Hill said 13 women veterans from the district will take part in the flight.

While the trip itself is fully funded once participants reach Lakeland, club members wanted to remove any financial barriers for the veterans traveling from the Panhandle.

“We didn’t want them to have to pay anything to get there,” Hill said.

Through local fundraising and sponsors, the club secured transportation and provided shirts for the veterans traveling from Panama City and Marianna to Lakeland, where the charter flight will depart.

The trip follows a tight but meaningful schedule.

After traveling to Lakeland and attending a mandatory orientation, the veterans will depart early the next morning on a charter flight to Baltimore. From there, buses will take them to Washington, D.C., where they will visit several national landmarks honoring military service.

Stops include time at the monuments on the National Mall, a visit to the National Women’s Museum for a catered lunch and presentation, and a trip to Arlington National Cemetery to witness the Changing of the Guard.

The veterans will return to Lakeland the same evening, where a large welcome celebration is planned. GFWC members from across Florida are expected to attend.

The flight will carry about 130 women veterans, along with guardians, medical staff and a small number of GFWC leadership members. The aircraft holds 172 passengers and is expected to be full.

Organizers also plan to livestream portions of the trip and produce a documentary-style video to preserve the experience.

Hill said the project reflects the core mission of the women’s club.

“As a women’s organization, we want to support our ladies,” she said. “This is one way we can honor women who served our country.”

For Hill and the club, the effort is about more than organizing a trip. It is about recognition and gratitude.

Her final request to the community was simple.

“Just keep them in your prayers while they’re gone,” she said.