For the first time since 2011, the Covington Region Honor Flight is a go, officials said this week.

Greg White of the CRHF said that the flight is scheduled for Sun., May 19.

Last year, the flight was put on hold due to lack of participation and the need for fundraising.

Only 39 veterans and guardians attended the October 2011 flight that took veterans, free of charge, to Washington, D.C., for the day, where they visited sites such as the World War II memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Korean and Vietnam memorials.

White said there is space for 40 veterans and about 15 guardians and staff.

The trip is open to World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans who have not previously participated.

“It’s going to be an all-day trip,” White said. “And we’re changing our plans to make it a direct flight, which will be easier on our veterans.”

White said that instead of flying from Pensacola to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Washington, D.C., they were getting a direct flight from Birmingham to Washington, D.C.

“We will take all that time that we aren’t using for layovers and put that on the ground,” he said. “This will give us more time, and we won’t be rushed when eating.”

White said members of CRHF are “exited.”

“Obviously, we weren’t able to provide this to our veterans last year, but we are excited to offer this to them this year,” he said. “The same group of us has been working this, and each one of us has enjoyed this.”

White said that the cost for guardians will be around $475 and this includes flight, meal and snacks.

Fundraising efforts are in full swing, as many of the expenses for the flight must be paid well in advance of the flight date. All tax-deductible donations can be made to: Covington Region Honor Flight; c/o Covington County Commission; P.O. Box 188; Andalusia, Alabama 36320.

To sign up, veterans may contact White at 222-2907 or the Veterans Affairs Office at 428-2687.