According to the United States Census, there are an estimated 11,417 veterans living in Broome county alone and that number doesn't even include the number of active-duty military personnel and their families.

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Broome county has and always will be a massive supporter of our military members both past and present as is evident in its various donations to various military-based not-for-profit organizations.

One such not-for-profit organization that serves veterans in the Twin Tiers of both New York and Pennsylvania is the Twin Tiers Honor Flight. Twin Tiers Honor Flight, part of the national Honor Flight Network, was created in 2012 when it became apparent that many of our local veterans were lacking the closure they desperately needed following their time in the service.

The mission of Twin Tiers Honor Flight is simple but impactful: to transport local veterans to Washington, D.C. in honor of their service so that they can visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with veterans who may be terminally ill and all veterans travel for free, there is never a cost to a veteran.

Because Twin Tiers Honor Flight is an all-volunteer organization and operates solely on tax-deductible donations, donations are vital, something the organizers of Spiedie Fest and the Delta Engineers Broome County Festival of Lights is well aware of and so they will be saluting our local military through a special benefit.

On Saturday, January 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the Broome County Festival of Lights at Otsiningo Park will salute our military with a portion of the proceeds going to Twin Tiers Honor Flight.

Admission will be $15 per vehicle (cash, check, or credit card accepted) with veterans and active-duty military personnel admitted into the light show for free with proper ID. Local musician Rick Pedro will perform patriotic music for visitors to listen to as they drive through the dazzling lights display.

Visit BC Festival of Lights for more information on the lights show at Otsiningo Park and Twin Tiers Honor Flight for more information on the organization impacting our local veterans in such a special way.

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