Over 50 veterans signed up recently to take a free day trip to the national World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., in early May.

The veterans signed up at all Chick-fil-A locations in Fayette County, and the company also treated them to dinner for the Honor Flight Fayette program.

Gail Sparrow and Mark Buckner, organizers of Honor Flight, are hopeful that the word will spread that this is a non-profit organization whose only mission is to say “thank you” to the brave men and women who helped make our freedom today possible.

It will take approximately $300 each to send the veterans. Donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted and used toward the flight, ground transportation, meals, medical personnel and many other costs associated with this one-day trip.

Many veterans who have already visited the memorial said it was an experience they never thought they would have, but were so grateful for the chance. Donating a trip would be a wonderful Christmas present to a veteran, organizers said.

In addition to donations, guardians and volunteers are also needed. Guardians are required to pay their own way, but will have the special privilege of sharing the flight with these older citizens we are losing at the rate of 1,200 per day and who have so many stories to share.

Some of them have rarely spoken of their service and sacrifices because they considered it their duty and honor to serve their country, and are humble when you mention it to them.

To make your donation to send a World War II Veteran to Washington to visit the World War II Memorial, send your check to:

Honor Flight Fayette Foundation, Inc., 719 West Lanier Avenue, Suite B, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214.

(Make checks payable to Honor Flight Fayette Foundation, Inc.)

Visit Honor Flight Fayette’s website at honorflightfayette.org, or you can reach them by email at info@honorflightfayette.org for further information, and ways you can help.

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