A thank you: There is still time to give to allow vets to take tribute flights

We talk all the time about honoring those who have served this country with honor and courage.

We say "thank you." We raise flags.

And this week, we got to watch 19 World War II veterans from Wayne County join nearly 80 others as they made a trip to Washington, D.C. for one of the coveted honor flights.

The journeys were powerful -- both for those who got to go along and for those who were there remembering as they walked by the World War II memorial and the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial.

And although the trips are over for this season, there is another flight scheduled for this fall -- and organizers are already trying to get together the funds to make sure as many veterans as possible are able to go on that flight.

So, here is our chance to say "thank you" one more time to the men who were part of the Greatest Generation -- the veterans of World War II.

It doesn't take much really -- every bit helps. So, even if your budget is tight, a small gift will be a much-appreciated token of your esteem for the men who helped protect people they did not even know and who saved a continent from evil.

Checks should be made payable to Triangle Flight of Honor. Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be sent to flight guardian Allan D. Pederson, 2095 Big Daddy's Road, Pikeville, NC 27863.

Let's make sure that next flight is full of Wayne County's heroes.

Published in Editorials on May 6, 2011 10:37 AM