Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Harmon.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Utah Honor Flight is part of the national Honor Flight Network, a movement that began in 2005 when founders Earl Morse and Jeff Miller realized that many aging World War II veterans would never be able to make the journey to Washington, D.C., on their own.
Utah Honor Flight launched its first mission in October 2013. Since then, we’ve completed 56 missions and have had the privilege of honoring nearly 3,000 Utah veterans.
What makes Utah Honor Flight truly special is that our entire organization is powered by volunteers. From our Board of Directors to our mission staff, medical team, guardians, and airport volunteers, everyone gives their time because they believe in honoring those who served. Every mission is funded through the generosity of individuals, businesses, foundations, and community sponsors who make these trips possible.
Over two unforgettable days, our veterans visit the memorials dedicated to their service, walk through history together, share stories many have never told, reconnect with fellow service members, and, for many—especially our Vietnam veterans—receive the welcome home they never received decades ago.
Today, we serve veterans who served between World War II and the Vietnam War, regardless of where they served, as well as terminally ill veterans from any era. Beginning in 2027, we’ll expand eligibility to include veterans who served through July 31, 1991, allowing us to honor an even greater generation of America’s heroes.
At its heart, Utah Honor Flight isn’t just about a trip to Washington, D.C. It’s about gratitude. It’s about preserving history, honoring service, and making sure every veteran knows their sacrifice has never been forgotten.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any nonprofit, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but every challenge has made us stronger.
One of our biggest challenges is that every single mission has to be funded before it can happen. We don’t receive government funding for our flights, so we’re dependent on generous sponsors, businesses, foundations, and individual donors. Every year we’re working to raise the funds needed to honor the next group of veterans.
Another challenge is time. Our mission exists because our veterans are aging, and every year we lose heroes who never had the chance to experience an Honor Flight. That’s why there’s such a sense of urgency in what we do. We know we don’t have forever.
Logistically, each mission is also a tremendous undertaking. Coordinating flights, hotels, medical volunteers, guardians, transportation, wheelchairs, meals, and caring for dozens of veterans over two days takes months of planning and hundreds of volunteers working together.
But despite those challenges, we’ve been incredibly fortunate. Our volunteers are passionate, our sponsors are generous, and our communities continue to rally behind our veterans. Every time we see a veteran standing at their memorial or receiving the welcome home they never got decades ago, we’re reminded that every obstacle has been worth it.
That’s what keeps us moving forward……one mission, one veteran, and one “thank you” at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Serving as the Director of Utah Honor Flight has been one of the greatest honors of my life. While I’m fortunate to help lead the organization, none of this happens because of one person. It takes an incredible team of volunteer board members, mission staff, guardians, medical volunteers, airport volunteers, and generous sponsors who all share the same goal—honoring our veterans.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact these missions have. I’ve seen veterans visit memorials they never thought they’d see, reconnect with memories and fellow service members, and receive the heartfelt welcome home many never received decades ago. Those moments are a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
As Director, my hope is that Utah Honor Flight continues to grow so we can honor even more veterans in the years ahead. Every application we receive, every volunteer who steps forward, and every donation made helps ensure another veteran has the opportunity to experience this unforgettable journey.
It truly takes a community to make Honor Flight possible, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of that mission every day.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you’re a veteran or know someone who is eligible, please don’t wait to apply. We often hear veterans say, “Someone else deserves it more,” but that’s simply not true. If they served, they earned this honor.
I’d also encourage people to get involved. Whether it’s volunteering, becoming a guardian, sponsoring a mission, or making a donation, every contribution helps us honor another veteran. Utah Honor Flight is truly a community effort, and none of what we do would be possible without the incredible support of people across our state.
Finally, I hope people remember that Honor Flight isn’t just about visiting memorials in Washington, D.C. It’s about preserving history while we still can. Every veteran has a story that deserves to be heard, and every mission ensures those stories—and the sacrifices behind them—are never forgotten.
Our motto is “Their Memorial. Our Mission.” To me, that means it’s our responsibility to make sure those who protected our freedoms know that their service mattered and that a grateful nation remembers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.utahhonorflight.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utahhonorflight/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahhonorflight/
