The air was filled with excitement as a large group of World War II veterans and volunteers of Fayette County met at the First United Methodist Church of Fayetteville on May 14 for breakfast and a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the WWII Memorial.

The buses were led by an escort of honor guards as citizens lined the sidewalk, saluting, waving flags and cheering as they made their way to the airport.

The vision of Mrs. Gail Sparrow and six months of planning, organizing a team and sending Fayette veterans to Washington, D.C., with all expenses paid had become a reality.

Words cannot express how much we appreciate everything that went into this trip to make it so enjoyable, and being sure all veterans were properly cared for.

Our hats are off to a lady whose vision and hard work will always be remembered.

Henry Whitmire (WWII veteran)

Fayetteville, Ga.