Inside the First All-Female Honor Flight: A Moment Decades in the Making

Whenever a plane takes off, passengers are rarely curious about who else is on board. But just this April, one flight out of Arizona was a little bit different, carrying a special group of people who deserved to be celebrated.

On board were 32 women who had served during the Vietnam War. They weren’t traveling for vacation; instead, they were embarking on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

This All-Female Honor Flight wasn’t just a trip—it was a long-overdue moment of celebration. These women were publicly recognized for what they did decades ago, an honor many had never experienced before. And even if it was just for a day, it was enough to make a lasting impact. If you’re curious about how their journey unfolded, keep reading!

What Is an Honor Flight?

While the concept of an Honor Flight might sound simple, the experience is deeply profound for Veterans. Through this program, Veterans are flown to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built to honor their specific service.

Even better, the trip is entirely free for the honorees. With no complicated requirements beyond proof of service and age, the Honor Flight Network ensures Veterans have the opportunity to see their memorials while they still can.

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Founded in 2005 by Earl Morse, the Honor Flight Network initially focused exclusively on World War II Veterans. Since then, it has grown tremendously to include those who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over the years, more than 300,000 Veterans have participated in Honor Flights across the U.S.

The Honor Flight Arizona for Vietnam War-Era Veterans

This month, the central Arizona chapter of the network hosted an incredible All-Female Veteran Honor Flight for Vietnam War Veterans.

Together with the Arizona State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and spearheaded by Arizona State DAR Regent Sarah Ziker, they took 32 female Vietnam War Veterans on a three-day trip. Representing the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, what made this particular group so extraordinary was that all 32 honored Veterans were also DAR members.

To ensure the theme of female empowerment resonated from the very beginning, Southwest Airlines deliberately scheduled an all-female pilot, co-pilot, and flight crew to fly these women out of Phoenix Sky Harbor. Furthermore, every Guardian, medic, and trip leader accompanying the Veterans was also a woman.

Diane Franzese, president of Honor Flight Arizona, noted that the Arizona chapter had been planning this specific Honor Flight for about two years.

“One of the people on our team decided to do a DAR flight, all females. We had talked about doing a female flight, but with it being DAR, it’s really extra special,” Franzese said.

When asked what she was looking forward to, one Navy Veteran on the trip, Kathy, expressed her excitement for the "camaraderie." She added,

“Just being with my sisters and sharing time in our American history.”

That sense of sisterhood is exactly what made this flight so remarkable. The journey brought them all together in one place to simply be present, reflect, and celebrate each other's service.

What Did They Do on the Trip?

After departing Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for Washington, D.C., the group had a packed itinerary. They visited the Military Women’s Memorial, DAR headquarters, and Constitution Hall.

Additionally, they toured the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial (honoring the women, many of whom were nurses, who served), the Korean War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Changing of the Guard. According to Franzese's planned itinerary, they also enjoyed a beautiful dinner at the Women’s Memorial.

A Celebration for the Female Vietnam War Veterans

Ultimately, this All-Female Veteran Honor Flight was deeply meaningful. Even though the women came from five different military branches, they were united by one purpose: to celebrate one another and share their experiences.

The stories they exchanged during the trip gave them a chance to reflect on their service—a moment that would not have been possible had the Honor Flight Network not established its mission to provide U.S. Veterans with these incredible experiences.

Echoing Kathy's sentiment of “just being with my sisters and sharing time in our American history," this trip was about being in the same space with people who understood, and finally having the time to be recognized together. Returning home, these 32 female Veterans now share a profound bond and an experience they haven’t had before.

The trip was not just about visiting Washington, D.C.; it was about bringing together a group of women who served during the same era, even if their paths had never crossed until now. This time, they got to experience it together, not as individuals, but as a unified group who had lived through the same chapter of history.