Guardian

Requirements & Frequently asked questions

Guardian Requirements:

  • You are responsible for paying the trip fee (currently $500)which covers air and land transportation, food, lodging, attraction entrance fees, t-shirts. Payment isn’t required until you are assigned to a trip.
  • You cannot be a veteran’s spouse or significant other. If you are a different family member of a veteran you must be 16-65 years old. If you are not a family member, you need to be between 18 -65 years old. Guardians over 65 must get SEMO HF Chair approval.
  • Your responsibility on the trip is to assist your veteran with whatever they need, which may include pushing your veteran in a transport chair up to 5 miles during a single day.
  • You must be in good physical health, have good eyesight and hearing and be able to walk, squat, and lift 80lbs.
  • There will be a mandatory Pre-Flight event and training 6-8 weeks before the trip.  You must attend in order to go on the trip.
  • You will be part of a team along with the other guardians who will help veterans get on and off the bus and help load equipment on and off the bus. 

Guardian FAQs

When will I get specific information about the trip?

Once you are chosen to go on a trip, you will receive a letter from us outlining the process. About 6 weeks before the trip there will be a mandatory gathering for veterans and their guardians where all trip details will be provided.

Will I receive any training?

Yes. 6-8 weeks before the trip there will be a mandatory event for the veterans and their guardians. At this event there will be a training session for all guardians.

What is the general schedule of the trip?

In general, it is a two-day trip. You are responsible for getting to the airport, usually for an early morning flight. We arrive in the Washington DC area around noon. The next two days are spent visiting war memorials and other sites of interest via bus. At the end of the second day, we fly home, usually arriving in the late evening.

Will I have my own room, or will I be sharing? If so, with whom?

All rooms have double queen beds. You will most likely be staying with your veteran unless you are not a family member and opposite gender.  If you are not sharing a room with your veteran, you will be sharing with another guardian.

What does the guardian fee cover, and what other costs could there be?

Your guardian fee pays all your transportation costs (air and ground), food, lodging, attraction entrance fees, t-shirts. You will be responsible for personal purchases like souvenirs.

What will I need to pack?

Pack light. You won’t check any bags for the flight. You will be given two t-shirts to wear for the trip. You will be able to bring one carry-on bag. You will be given written instructions concerning packing at the training.

How soon after I am notified is my payment due?

  • You can make two equal installments if you wish; the first is due two months before the trip and the second is due the month before the trip.
  • If you pay by credit card we pass on to you the service fee (currently 4%) that we are charged by the credit card processing companies.