The Texas South Plains Honor Flight Telethon, hosted by KCBD in Lubbock, raised more than $53,000 to send South Plains veterans to Washington, D.C. That beat the $45,000 the organization hoped to bring in. KCBD held the annual telethon on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11.
KCBD held the annual telethon on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The nonprofit has operated locally since 2012 and counts the telethon as one of its largest fundraisers each year.
Each flight costs at least $250,000 and carries about 80 veterans, with all expenses paid. Covering a single veteran runs about $1,800. The South Plains trip lasts three days and two nights, longer than many other Honor Flight hubs, which spend one or two days in Washington.
The program prioritizes World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans. They lay wreaths at the memorials for those wars and visit memorials for each military branch, Arlington National Cemetery, the Military Women's Memorial and museums.
For local families, the money means shorter waits. Donations paid for two trips in 2026, and the group wants to fly again in spring and fall of 2027 to shrink its waiting list. The organization is also celebrating 15 missions with its first Celebration Fundraiser Gala on December 5.
The group has no paid staff, and volunteers handle the year-round logistics and fundraising.
Common questions
How much did the Texas South Plains Honor Flight Telethon raise?
- The Texas South Plains Honor Flight Telethon raised more than $53,000, beating its $45,000 goal. KCBD in Lubbock hosted the annual telethon on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The money will help send South Plains veterans to Washington, D.C. The telethon is one of the nonprofit's largest fundraisers each year.
How much does an Honor Flight trip cost?
- Each Honor Flight costs at least $250,000 and carries about 80 veterans, with all expenses paid. Covering a single veteran runs about $1,800. The South Plains trip lasts three days and two nights, which is longer than many other Honor Flight hubs that spend one or two days in Washington.
Which veterans can go on the South Plains Honor Flight?
- The program prioritizes World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans. The nonprofit has operated locally since 2012. On the trip, veterans lay wreaths at the memorials for those wars. Each flight carries about 80 veterans, and all expenses are paid for them.
