West Chester resident Andrew Schiavello, president of the Honor Flight Network’s Philadelphia chapter, helps local veterans visit memorials in Washington, D.C., that honor their service, writes J.F. Pirro for Main Line Today.

Honor Flight Network is the national nonprofit created 13 years ago to take veterans to Washington, D.C. Since then, it has since hosted around 140,000 veterans from 134 hubs in 43 states. Locally, there have been 88 bus trips since 2012, including one from Flourtown Country Club on Sept. 24.

Schiavello is one of eight Philadelphia volunteers in the Honor Flight Network. He said top priority is given to World War II survivors and those who may be terminally ill.

“Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out,” said Schiavello. “We can never repay them for what they did, but we can show them our appreciation.”

According to Schiavello, Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation for living veterans with around 71,000. The nonprofit coordinates with nursing homes, senior centers, and retirement communities to spread word about the trips.

Read more about Andrew Schiavello’s efforts in Main Line Today here.

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