Under Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Janine Davidson, presented the 2015 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award to James McLaughlin, Chairman of the Honor Flight Network, and Diane Gresse, executive director of the Honor Flight Network, on behalf of the Honor Flight Network at the Pentagon Nov. 7, 2016.

The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor America's veterans for their sacrifices by transporting them, accompanied by "guardians" to assist them, to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials.

"It's a very humbling honor to receive this award on behalf of our network," said Gresse. "We have a lot of faithful volunteers, so we're not just receiving this on behalf of ourselves, but for our entire network and the countless thousands of volunteer hours they put in every year."

Representatives from the Honor Flight Network said the network started with offering this opportunity to World War II veterans. It transitioned to veterans of the Korean conflict and Vietnam War. There have even been a few all female flights. The awardees both stated that there are nearly 700,000 living veterans, but suggest there is urgency to expedite flights with every generation.

"I'd like the public to realize that we have to hurry to get these veterans transported to see their memorials," said McLaughlin. "It's important for the veterans to be recognized. Time is limited. We have to move quickly."

In 2015, the Honor Flight Network was able to fly 20,886 veterans and 19,093 guardians to Washington, D.C. from all over the United States. Currently, there are 21,032 people on a waiting list for the program. By the end of the network's current flying season in November, it is estimated that more than 180,000 veterans will have seen their memorials.

"It's like they're strangers on Friday," Gresse said, explaining her view a trip. "By Saturday morning they are teamed up on the bus headed into D.C. By Saturday night they are in the front of the bus telling one another war stories. And by Sunday we're all crying because they don't want to go home yet. So it's just a wonderful experience for everyone involved."

There are 130 hubs across 44 states in the entire network. The dedication of the men, women and partners of the Honor Flight Network strikes at the heart of what the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award exemplifies.

The award is named in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, both of whom contributed extensively to the support and welfare of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

"Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher are true patriotic Americans," said Davidson. "What they've done for veterans and families, and wounded warriors; it exemplifies what makes our country great. We all stand up as a family and support the people who serve."

In 1998, a joint regulation established the award as a multiservice recognition, demonstrating exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concern for members of the Armed Forces or their families. The recipient must exemplify Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher's personal qualities of patriotism, generosity and selfless dedication to improving the quality of life of members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Names of the recipients of the award are engraved on brass plates and included in the legacy display at the Pentagon. In addition, recipients are presented with a medallion, lapel pin and certificate signed by the Service Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.