Cheering Crowds Welcome Space Coast Honor Flight Veterans at MLB
Published on November 17, 2025
Space Coast Honor Flight (SCHF) and Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) reached new heights this fall as three missions successfully launched from MLB, transporting 146 local veterans to Washington, DC, to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
For the first time, Space Coast Honor Flight missions originated directly from SCHF’s hometown airport. Each return to MLB culminated in a moving Welcome Home celebration, as hundreds of friends, family members, and supporters filled the terminal with cheers, flags, and heartfelt gratitude.
More than 1,000 members of the community attended the Red, White & You Pre-Flight parties, enjoying live music, food and beer trucks, and giveaways that created an atmosphere filled with patriotic energy and community pride. The festivities built to the highlight of the evening, the Veterans Walk of Honor, as crowds lined the concourse to cheer and wave flags, welcoming the Space Coast Honor Flight veterans home with thunderous applause and appreciation.
“The Melbourne Orlando International Airport and Space Coast Honor Flight have been working together for three years to conduct Honor Flights from our hometown,” said Rear Admiral James Hart, USN (Ret.), SCHF President. “This partnership culminated in three smooth flights and spectacular homecomings for our veterans. The community support has been nothing short of incredible.”
The 2025 missions were made possible through generous community sponsorships:
- September 6: Mederi Caretenders and Tom & Annette Sanders
- October 11: The Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company and Tom & Annette Sanders
- November 8: The Northrop Grumman Corporation
Mederi Caretenders sponsored food for both the Sendoff Ceremony and the Welcome Home, and Holiday Builders provided veterans and their guardians with breakfast at the gate.
“Each Honor Flight from MLB is a reminder of the deep gratitude our community feels for those who have served,” said Greg Donovan, A.A.E., executive director of MLB. “It was an honor to see these missions take off from our hometown airport, and we’re thankful for the dedication of everyone who made them possible, from our staff and partners to the incredible volunteers who make these days so meaningful.”
Looking ahead, five Space Coast Honor Flights are planned for 2026, marking the first full year of missions departing from MLB. The first flight of the new season is scheduled for April 11, 2026, and will be hosted and sponsored by Melbourne Orlando International Airport.
The success of this fall’s flights was made possible through the teamwork and dedication of countless airport partners and community supporters, including Bill Dodds and the Ambassadors, The Pinup Pixies, Space Coast Nurse Honor Guard, MLB Comfort Canines powered by Space Coast Therapy Dogs, Menzies Aviation, Sheltair, Melbourne Airport Police Department, Transportation Security Administration, Playalinda x BFF x Intracoastal Collective, Hertz, Avis Budget Group, Republic Parking, Metz Culinary Management, Hyatt Place Melbourne Airport, Chairs for Affairs, Clear Channel, and iHeartMedia (Lite Rock 99.3, KISS 95.1, and 92.7 WMMB).
A special thank-you goes to MLB’s Airport Ambassadors, who worked tirelessly across all three missions to ensure a smooth, welcoming experience for veterans, their families, and the community. SCHF and MLB also extend an extra special thank-you to the Florida Tech Men’s Lacrosse team, whose enthusiasm and energy helped create an unforgettable Welcome Home celebration on November 8.