Honor Flight Fayette is preparing to embark on its third trip to send veterans of World War II to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The free trip for the veterans is set for Wed., Nov. 12, and will bring the total number of veterans honored locally by the program to over 200, organizers said.

The entire trip is underwritten by sponsors who pay for the veterans, including the flight, food and souvenirs. A group of volunteer escorts called “guardians” also make the trip to assist veterans, some of whom aren’t as spry as when they first went to defend our country.

Honor Flight also provides a medical team should any of the veterans have a medical emergency during the trip.

Honor Flight’s second trip was two weeks ago, and after they landed in Washington, D.C., the group was greeted with applause as the entire terminal, including active duty military members, stopped its activity to recognize the veterans’ contributions toward America’s freedom, organizers said.

The veterans were surprised and moved by the crowd, and many later said it was one of the highlights of the trip.

There is an urgency to get as many WWII veterans to the memorial as possible, as they are dying at the rate of more than 1,400 per day, officials estimate.

One hundred percent of funds raised go directly toward the flights, and the guardians pay their own way on the trip.

For more information, visit www.honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

login to post comments