Veterans travel to D.C. Saturday to see memorials
WEST PALM BEACH — Eightytwo veterans will fly from Palm Beach International Airport to Washington early Saturday for the second of four local Honor Flights in 2018.
The 82 — 15 from World War II and 67 from the Korean War — will board four police-escorted motor coaches in Washington and visit the Air Force Memorial, watch the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery and tour both the World War II and the Korean War memorials.
Organizers ask that people again come to PBIA at about 7:20 p.m. Saturday to welcome the veterans back at Concourses A and B on Level 2. They are encouraged to bring signs of thanks and flags and are asked to arrive early.
The nonprofit, Stuart-based Southeast Florida Honor Flight, one of 131 such operations in 45 states, flies veterans from Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties free of charge “to visit and reflect at the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifices.”
Honor Flight said some of the veterans flying Saturday served during both conflicts. Veterans were stateside and in battles in central Europe and at Iwo Jima and the Solomon Islands during World War II and Inchon in Korea.
The 82 who fly Saturday comprise 44 from the Army, 19 from the Navy, 12 from the Air Force and seven from the Marines. Their military duties included rifle instructor, electrician’s mate, typist clerk, optometrist, cook, B-36 bomber electrician, tank commander and fire-control instructor.
On April 14, another 82 veterans — 15 from World War II and 67 from the Korean War — flew on the year’s first Honor Flight..
Top priority continues to be World War II veterans and veterans of any conflict who have life-threatening conditions. Honor Flight also is taking applications from Vietnam veterans, who soon will be included on the trips.
Southeast Florida Honor Flight relies on word of mouth to find veterans for flights as well as people willing to escort them. It also welcomes donations. For more, call 855-FLYAVET (3592838) or visit www.honorflightsefl.org