VHF New Guardian Online Application

New Guardian Application

Villages Honor Flight
By filling out this Application you are applying to be a Guardian with Villages Honor Flight, Inc. All Guardians fly on a first-come, first-served basis and your priority is based on when we receive your Application.

You will be personally contacted by our Guardian Coordinator team to discuss your Application and our current schedule of Flights. Being contacted does not mean acceptance as a Guardian since passing the mandatory Preflight meeting screening is required.
Special Notes:

Assignment of Guardians: Villages Honor Flight will make all Veteran/Guardian assignments. No Veteran-specific Guardian requests will be considered.

Guardian Age: For DC Missions the age range is from 18-80 years for a first time Guardian. For flightless Missions, the Guardian must be at least 18 years and there is no maximum as long as healthy and fit enough to push a Veteran in a wheelchair and assist with activities of daily living (ADL's), if needed.
I am applying to be a Guardian on:*

A Flight to DC Mission (typical flight day is approximately 24 hours long)A Flightless Mission (held in The Villages; flight day is approximately 6 hours long)Both
Nickname (How you prefer to be addressed).*
Name as it appears on photo ID (for TSA purposes)*

First NameMiddle NameLast NameSuffix
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Cell Phone Number*
Don't forget Area Code
Land Line Phone Number
Include Area Code
Email Address*
example@example.com
Date of Birth:*

MonthDayYear
MM/DD/YYYY, 80yo Max.
Height*
Weight*
(lbs)
Gender*
VHF Shirt Style:*
Shirt Size:*

SmallMediumLargeX LargeXX LargeXXX LargeOther
If you're a Veteran, please select Branch of Service:
(Thank you for your Service!
If CPR certified, when does your CPR card expire?
Date: mm/dd/yyyy
Emergency Contact Information
Emergency Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to you:
Emergency Contact Phone Number *
(Cell number preferred)
Emergency Contact Address Same as Mine.*

YesNo
Emergency Contact Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Are you a full time resident of The Villages or the surrounding area?*

YesNo
Villages Area Arrival Month:*
Select Month
Villages Area Departure Month:*
Select Month
Out of Villages Area Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
MEETINGS: Time Commitment
- FREE CPR class, if not already certified (2.5 hours)
- Guardian meeting with Squad Leader prior to the Pre-flight session. (2 hours)
- Mandatory Pre-flight meeting for Veterans and Guardians to meet each other and undergo training. (3 hours)
- Group Social with those in your Squad (2.5 hours)
- One on one time with Veteran - your choice
- Flight Day (24 hours) Flightless (6 hours)
- Reunion after the flight (2.5 hours)
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

I UNDERSTAND
- My first responsibility as a Guardian is to my Veteran. I will ensure that my Veteran is never out of my sight, and I will treat him/her with respect and always maintain their dignity.
- I am not a sightseer – the trip is all about the Veteran.
- I must participate in early assessment of my Veteran's cognitive, memory, and physical abilities during pre-flight meetings, phone calls, socials, and in discussions with family members. I will report all findings to my Squad Leader, who will pass them along to the medical staff.
- Dehydration can be a serious issue for a Veteran. It is critical that I monitor the liquid intake of my Veteran, and that any indication of dehydration be passed on to the medical staff.
- My Veteran may have mobility issues or other health needs, and that it is my responsibility to attend to his/her needs and report any unresolved problems to the medical staff.
- My Veteran’s safety is my most important task for the day. As my Veteran gets increasingly tired during the day, I will offer a wheelchair.
- I will always carry ALL belongings for my Veteran at all times. I understand a backpack is necessary to keep my hands free to assist my Veteran.
- I need to know what medications my Veteran takes, and I will be responsible for alerting my Veteran to take them at the appropriate time.
- If there is an accident or an emergency beyond basic first aid, I will call 911 first and then contact the medical staff.
- I must be able to drive myself to and from the American Legion on flight day.
- I am responsible for my Veteran’s transportation on flight day, if he/she lives in or near The Villages.
- I will take pictures for my Veteran and provide him/her a photo book soon after the flight.
- During the flight, cell phones are only to be used for communicating if my Veteran has hearing problems, and for taking pictures of my Veteran. They are never to be used for personal use.
- Wheelchair safety and operation are my responsibility, and I will offer my Veteran a wheelchair every time we get off the bus.
- VHF has rules and a chain of command, and I agree to follow both.
- For a Mission to be successful everyone must pull together and work as a team.
- I agree to follow instructions and to respond politely and respectfully to any requests made by either the flight staff or medical staff.
- I agree to check email daily and respond as requested from the time I am assigned as a Guardian until the Reunion.
- I must be available between the Pre-flight and the mission and confine my travel to the minimum.
- I may need to help load and unload wheelchairs from the bus, if requested.
- My performance as a Guardian will be assessed after the flight.
RESTROOM RESPONSIBILITIES
- Guardians must make every effort to determine if the Veteran requires help in the restroom. A conversation with the family, or significant other can help, and all findings must be reported to Staff/ Medical. An adequate supply of Depends or pads from the Veteran’s home will be carried by the Guardian along with an extra pair of pants and socks, and wipes in a separate smaller bag/pack inside a back pack to allow discretion for the Veteran.
- Guardians must be willing to go into the restroom with the Veteran to assist as necessary. Opposite sex Guardians must arrange for their Veteran to be escorted by another Guardian. Guardians must insist on frequent restroom stops with their Veteran.
- Restroom issues such as incontinence of urine or feces must be addressed by the medical staff immediately.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The role of a Guardian requires some level of physical fitness and agility. Please answer the following questions regarding your readiness. This is not intended to discourage you; rather it is to assist the leaders in building the best possible and safest experience for every Veteran on the mission. Please comment to clarify any responses.
Are you able to bend, squat or kneel multiple times throughout the day?*
Comments*
Are you able to climb 6 bus steps multiple times throughout the flight day?*
Comments*
Are you able to push / pull a wheelchair carrying a Veteran who weighs up to 250 pounds?*
Comments*
Are you able to walk at least 2 miles carrying a backpack?*
Comments*
Do you have any health considerations that may limit your ability to perform the duties as a guardian? Examples: respiratory, cardiac, or other physical limitations?*
Comments*
Are you able to remain alert and prepared to assist your Veteran should he/she require it for the duration of the mission, approximately 24 hours?*
Comments*
Do you have experience as a caregiver, either professionally or personally?*
Comments*
All Guardians MUST be Registered Members of Villages Honor Flight's Club. If you are not currently a Registered Club member, please click NO and you will be presented with the Membership materials. If you are already a Registered Member of Villages Honor Flight Club click YES to skip the material.
YesNo
There are several volunteer opportunities. Please select all areas of interest to you. Visit Volunteer Opportunities to read descriptions of the opportunities.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Administrative Support

Computer Skills & Information TechnologyFinance & Law
Marketing, Media & Communication

Event Planning / FundraisingInfo BoothPublic SpeakingPhotography / VideographyLetter CollectionMedia / Public RelationsContact Schools & OrganizationsContact Vets
Assistance at Events, Flights and Meetings

Red HatsWheelchair SupportTransportation SupportGreeter & Table StaffingServe Tables at a lunch.
Medical

Doctor, Nurse, EMT or Other First Responder
Any questions or comments you have:
Guardian Fees:

New Guardians for DC Flights: $150 donation
Experienced Guardians for DC Flights: $100 donation
Squad Leader for DC Flights: No donation
Flightless Guardians $50 donation

The amount of donation is reviewed annually by the VHF board and is subject to change. Villages Honor Flight, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity. All donations are tax deductible.
Typing your name below constitutes your digital signature when sending via email.
Signature*
Today's Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
PRINT FORM if you desire.

After submitting this form you will receive an autoresponse. However, if you have any questions or do not hear personally back from VHF within 21 days, please contact our Guardian Team by sending an email to: guardian@villageshonorflight.org .
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New Guardian Application

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