Local residents are encouraged to line the streets in downtown Fayetteville with flags and banners early Saturday, Sept. 19 as Honor Flight Fayette sends another group of World War II veterans on a free trip to visit the national WWII memorial in Washington, D.C.

The veterans’ escort begins at 6:30 a.m. from First United Methodist Church. They will ride buses, escorted by members of the Patriot Guard motorcycle group and police officers from Fayetteville, Fayette County and Peachtree City.

The trip is funded entirely through donations to Honor Flight.

Approximately 70 veterans will be making the trip. They will start their day with breakfast at the church before they board the buses for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

After a short flight to D.C., the veterans will land at Ronald Reagan Airport where they are greeted by military personnel from different branches of the service who have requested the day off specifically to be with and assist guardians with the veterans.

The veterans will then board motor coaches for their comfort during the day. Although the World War II Memorial is the main feature, they will ride by the memorials for Iwo Jima, the Korean War, Vietnam and Arlington National Cemetery. Time permitting, stops will be made at these locations also.

The veterans’ visit to “their” memorial is always one of mixed emotions, and very often tears can be seen in their eyes as well as those of the guardians who are there to help them through the day. Sometimes they share stories as they walk around the memorial, and sometimes they just reflect in silence because memories are too poignant or too painful.

After they return from these trips to D.C., veterans have often said that it was the most wonderful day of their lives, second only to marriage or the birth of children. However, the guardians who accompany them, and pay their way to do so, will tell you it was one of the most special days of their lives also.

Honor Flight Fayette is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which is staffed totally by dedicated volunteers whose only purpose is to honor and say “thank you” to the brave veterans of World War II. To learn more about Honor Flight Fayette, become a volunteer or make a donation, please visit honorflightfayette.org or mail a check to P. O. Box 1209, Fayetteville, GA, 30214.

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