On Saturday June 7th, the WVU NCAC invites you to join them in honoring a group of World War II Veterans coming from Huntington, WV to participate in activities sponsored by the Honor Flight Network. The non-profit organization was created solely to honor America’s veterans for their tremendous sacrifices, and several times a year it transports veterans from across the nation to Washington, D.C. to visit the various memorials in the nation’s capital dedicated to the memory of the men and women who have served in our armed services.
The inaugural Honor Flight Tour took place in May, 2005, when six small planes flew out of Springfield, Ohio taking twelve World War II veterans on a visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. In August, 2005, an ever-expanding waiting list of veterans led the transition to commercial airline carriers with the goal of accommodating as many veterans as possible. Partnering with HonorAir in Hendersonville, North Carolina, the “Honor Flight Network” was formed.
On June 7th, we’ll be welcoming the World War II veterans from Huntington along with veterans from New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Minnesota. You’re invited to show your respect for and appreciation of the veterans by volunteering as a greeter. You’ll join others and line the walkway into the Memorial, greeting the veterans as they enter by waving flags, shaking hands, and talking to these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Homemade signs are welcome (such as “Thank You Veterans” or “Welcome to DC, Veterans”), and if you have children, it would be great to have them draw pictures or write cards to give to the veterans. Adults are certainly welcomed and encouraged to do the same! These small gestures mean the world to our visiting veterans and show that a grateful nation will never forget their sacrifice.
The veterans will be at the World War II Memorial between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, and if you’d like to take a few hours out of your day to be a part of this wonderful event, please contact Kim Wierzbicki (kawierzbicki@gmail.com) for more information!
Please start your Saturday by coming out and thanking WV veterans and their fellow servicemen and servicewomen from other states.
When: Saturday June 7th 9:30 – 12:30
Where: World War II Memorial (The Mall DC)
Metro: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian (Both Orange and Blue)
Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.