by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) will sponsor Florida’s first all-female United States military veterans Flight of Honor to Washington, D.C., scheduled for March 2026. The South Lake Junior Woman’s Club (SLJWC), a local chapter of the GFWC, will assist with fundraising efforts to help make this historic trip possible.
GFWC Florida President Sara Dessureau selected the project to honor GFWC members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. “Veterans are such an important part of not only our history but also of the continuing sacrifices made for our country,” said Dessureau. “While we honor all veterans, I want to pay special tribute to the female veterans in the GFWC Florida organization.”
The goal is to raise $150,000 to support 172 participants, covering airfare, lodging, and meals for both the veterans and their guardians.
The SLJWC will host several fundraising events to support the cause, including a Veterans Appreciation Dinner and Quarter Auction on Saturday, November 1, from 2–5 pm at Minneola City Hall, 800 US-27, Minneola. Tickets are $25 per person, while veterans attend free. The ticket price includes dinner and one auction paddle; additional paddles will be available for purchase.
The Honor Flight program, established in 2005, provides free trips for U.S. military veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C. The program, organized nationwide by volunteer-based nonprofits, has flown an estimated 250,000 veterans since its inception.
For more information about local fundraising efforts or to get involved, email Info@GFWCSouthLakeJuniors.org.
