Honor Flight of Southern Indiana Mail Call Needs Letters From the Local Community

Last week, I wrote about the Honor Flight of Southern Indiana that's taking off in early May.

If you aren't familiar with Honor Flight, it’s an organization that offers those who served our country a day trip to Washington, DC to visit the memorials dedicated to their sacrifice.

When a veteran is selected to participate in an Honor Flight, they are accompanied by a friend, family member, or volunteer. They depart Evansville Regional Airport around 5 a.m. and head to Washington, D.C.

From there, they visit the Korean War, Lincoln, Vietnam, and Air Force Memorials, take a bus tour of the National Mall, visit Arlington National Cemetery, and witness a Changing of the Guard ceremony. When they return home, they are greeted by a welcome home parade held in their honor.

Why Honor Flight Matters

It's a chance for us to say “thank you for your service” in a very tangible way. Honor Flight is provided free of charge to veterans, but each flight costs around $120,000 to host, and donations are always welcome. You can donate directly to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana. But there’s also a need that won’t cost you anything at all, just about five minutes of your time.

Operation Mail Call Lets You Thank a Veteran

Operation Mail Call is the community's chance to really shine. All you have to do is write a thank-you letter to a veteran on the flight.

I talked to Diane Shaw, VP for Honor Flight of Southern Indiana. She told me that most of the veterans who are going are over 80 years old. They are part of a generation that didn’t always hear “thank you.” When these veterans were in service, they had to wait for the mail to be dropped off. Hearing from home was a highlight of their day or even their week.

She said the letters from the community thanking them for their service are a highlight of the trip, too. Each veteran will receive a Mail Call envelope filled with dozens of cards and letters. But they need help from the community to make that happen.

How to Write a Letter for Operation Mail Call

Even if you don’t know the person who will get your letter, it’s still a chance to show appreciation to someone who fought for your freedom. Some veterans didn’t get much of a thank you when they came home. Your small act can make a big difference for someone who has carried those experiences for decades.

Examples range from a simple card, a handwritten letter, and coloring pages from children. Involve your kids, your church, your school, your workplace, and be as creative as you’d like. Send a whole box of cards, and they will be distributed.

Personalized Mail (To Go To a Specific Veteran)

Honor Flight prefers any personal mail for a specific Veteran going on EVV20 be mailed to their PO Box, dropped at the RED CROSS BLDG drop box or contact the bus captain for that specific Veteran.

The Veterans FULL NAME (FIRST, LAST and middle initial if you know) must be on the outside of the envelope in the lower left corner only if you know his/her name. Do not send to “Dad” or “Mr. Smith” as they have 86 Veterans flying with them.

OPERATION MAIL CALL
HFSI–EVV20
PO Box 8234
Evansville, IN 47716

Deadlines

Deadline for EVV20 mail call drop is APRIL 1ST – APRIL 22ND
DROP SITE boxes are collected on 4-24-26.

Public letters can be taken to these drop-off sites from April 1–22, 2026 or fill out the form below and we'll print it and get it to Honor Flight for you.

MAIL CALL DROP SITE LOCATIONS
(PLEASE VERIFY THEIR HOURS OF BUSINESS)

• American Red Cross
  29 S. Stockwell Rd — Eville, IN
• Golden Corral Restaurant
  130 Cross Pointe Blvd — Eville, IN
• Misson BBQ Eville Restaurant
  1530 N. Green River Rd — Eville, IN
• Evansville VA Clinic
  6211 E. Waterford Blvd — Eville, IN
• Pinnacle Computer Services
  640 S. Hebron — Eville, IN
• EVPL Central Branch
  200 SE MLK Jr. Blvd — Eville, IN
• EVPL East Branch
  840 E. Chandler Ave — Eville, IN
• EVPL McCollough Branch
  5115 Washington Ave — Eville, IN
• EVPL North Park Branch
  960 Koehler Dr — Eville, IN
• EVPL Oaklyn Branch
  3001 Oaklyn Dr — Eville, IN
• EVPL Red Bank Branch
  120 S. Red Bank Rd — Eville, IN
• EVPL Stringtown Branch
  2100 Stringtown Rd — Eville, IN
• EVPL West Branch
  2000 W. Franklin St — Eville, IN
• Bauerhaus Office
  13605 Darmstadt Rd — Darmstadt, IN
• Walker’s Hometown Store
  1023 W. Broadway St — Princeton, IN
• Tim’s Computers
  1300 W. Morton St — Oakland City, IN
• Indiana Military Museum
  715 S. Sixth St — Vincennes, IN
• Knox Co Public Library
  502 N. 7th St — Vincennes, IN
• Green Thumb Landscaping & Garden Center
  702 Third Ave — Jasper, IN
• Jasper Public Library
  100 Third Ave — Jasper, IN
• Electric Graffiti Tattoo Studio
  708 Main St — Jasper, IN
• Ferdinand Public Library
  112 W. 16th St — Ferdinand, IN
• Huntingburg Downtown Emporium
  407 E. 4th St — Huntingburg, IN
• Pike County Public Library
  1008 E. Maple St — Petersburg, IN
• Henderson Co. Public Library
  101 S. Main St — Henderson, KY
• Newburgh Chandler Public Library
  4111 Lakeshore Dr — Newburgh, IN
• Newburgh Chandler Public Library
  402 S. Jaycee St — Chandler, IN
• Alexandrian Public Library
  115 W. 5th St — Mt. Vernon, IN

A Few More Notes

Please do not date your letter.

Please sign your letter. Examples of signatures include: Bobby, Mrs. Jones’ 4th Grade Class, Castle Elementary – or simply… “A Grateful American”.

Be creative & have fun!

Fill out the form below or click here if you the box doesn't appear.

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Sample Letter

Need some inspiration? Here's a sample. (But please write your own.)

Dear Veteran,

I just want to say thank you for your service to our country. Because of your sacrifice and bravery, we enjoy the freedoms we have today. I can’t imagine the challenges you faced while serving, but please know your dedication has not been forgotten.

I hope your Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. is filled with meaningful memories and moments that make you feel appreciated. I can picture you visiting the memorials and hearing cheers from the crowd when you return home. You deserve every bit of it.

Thank you again for everything you’ve done. Your courage and service mean more than words can express.

With gratitude,
A Grateful American

Cost of Honor Flight and Fundraising Efforts

Honor Flight is provided free of charge to veterans, but each flight costs around $120,000 to host. The local hub must raise the funds to make each trip possible. There is a flight scheduled for this May, and volunteers are working to ensure all 86 seats are filled and funded.

How to Donate or Support Honor Flight

You can donate directly to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana.

Volunteer Opportunities and Welcome Home Parade

Volunteers are also needed for the welcome home parade at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at Evansville Regional Airport. Students in grades 6 through 12 are especially encouraged to participate by helping push veterans’ wheelchairs.