Honor local veterans with a special trip
By Sauk Valley Newspapers - What We Think - letters@svnmail.com
By their deeds, military veterans showed how much they care for their country. Fellow Americans should return the favor whenever possible.
A new way to recognize and thank armed forces veterans is the Honor Flight program.
Honor Flights transport veterans from across the country to Washington, D.C., to visit military memorials to those who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. All expenses are paid for this 1-day whirlwind trip. Veterans also get to see the Arlington National Cemetery and other points of interest.
The program began in 2005, the year after the National World War II Memorial was dedicated. Organizers realized that, while the nation had just created a beautiful and meaningful memorial, remaining veterans of that war might never see it. An average of about 1,000 a day were dying, and those who survive might not be able to afford the trip or might otherwise have difficulties making it by themselves.
Enter Honor Flights. Across the country, groups have been organized whose priority is to first transport World War II veterans and those who are terminally ill; after that, other veterans are accepted. The program is growing. Last year, more than 11,000 veterans were brought to the nation’s capital.
When several local veterans were treated to a Washington visit in the spring, they were overwhelmed. They returned with the goal of helping to make free trips possible for more of their comrades.
Last week, the Whiteside County Veterans Honor Flight program officially was organized, in affiliation with a larger group based in the Quad Cities. Officers have been chosen. Former Whiteside County Sheriff Roger Schipper will be the chairman.
The group’s goals are to raise money to pay for the flights and encourage local veterans to sign up for one.
Americans owe so much to military veterans. Treating them to such a special experience is a fitting tribute.
We urge area residents to get behind this new program. For each trip, the group needs to raise about $550. Donations may be sent to David Murray, Honor Flights treasurer, at Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, 202 E. Fifth St., Sterling, IL 61081.
Should the Whiteside County Honor Flights group be successful, we think, it would make sense to expand it to other Sauk Valley counties.
What a tremendous way to honor veterans’ invaluable service to their country.
