2 Young Ohio Girls Raise $20,000 for Veterans’ ‘Honor Flights’ to Washington

The program runs in 125 communities in 42 states, transporting former military personnel to Washington to honor their service to America.

Raya Ziegler (L) and her sister Tessa (R) pose with Navy Veteran Mike Jostworth at an Honor Flight homecoming at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on May 22, 2024. Courtesy of Rachel Ziegler

CINCINNATI, Ohio—A pair of patriotic little girls and their mother beamed as they shared how—and why—they raised more than $20,000 for a program that benefits military veterans in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Tessa Ziegler, 12, and her sister, Raya, 7, generated those funds for Honor Flight Tri-State via yard sales, raffles, and donation buckets at events near their home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.