Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is still going strong.

74 flights have transported more than 6,000 local veterans to the memorials in Washington, D.C. in more than 15 years.

Now, organizer Steve Wheeler tells the WTAX Morning Newswatch a long wait list is finally getting whittled down.

“We’ve been flying hard and doing a lot of work to get through out wait list,” said Wheeler.  “We are scheduled right now to basically have a zero wait list by the end of this flight year.  So, we’re starting to recruit for next year, and make sure all these veterans out there that have been telling us for years ‘I’ll let somebody else go before me’…now is the time to get those applications sent in.”

Wheeler says the only requirements now are that you have to have served in the Vietnam or Korean Wars, or World War Two, prior to May of 1975.

Potential guardians are also being sought, Wheeler said.

“All of our veterans are required to have a guardian with them to take care of their needs during the day,” Wheeler said.  “They can request their own guardian — which is a family member.  Anyone but the spouse can go if they’re between the ages of 18 and 70.  If they do not have someone to go as their guardian, we have a pool of guardians through the organization here.  These people are chomping at the bit to take a veteran out to D.C.”

Wheeler says guardians must pay $600 to cover their own flight.  The cost of sending veterans to Washington is covered through fundraisers and donations.

CLICK HERE to apply, or learn more information.