The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Fundraising underway for veterans trip to D.C.
Veterans trip committee $5,000 short of $18,000 goal
For the tenth year running, local veterans will have the chance to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the National World War II Memorial.
“This is a thank you to the veterans for their service to the country,” said Erwin Smith, who has spearheaded the trip since its beginnings a decade ago. “It gives them closure to go to the wall and to see the graves.”
For some veterans who are physically disabled or could not make the drive, it gives them a chance to see the memorial and other sights around D.C.
Smith said he gets a lot out of the D.C. trip and appreciates the chance to talk with the men and women who have served and lis- ten to their stories and experiences.
“I remember studying World War II in school and until you’ve sat down and talked to them, these veterans, you don’t know what they’ve been through,” Smith said.
It all started when Smith’s friend and WWII veteran Louis Balducci of Canastota went to the dedication for the memo- rial with his son. Smith remembers Balducci suggesting he and Smith figure out a way to get more veterans down to see it.
Currently, 52 people are signed up for the April 9-11 trip. Originally a one day affair, Smith said there was not enough time in the day for everything, including visiting from the memorial, a number of museums, and Arlington Cemetery.
It costs $345 a person for the
D.C. trip and the Oneida Rotary pays for it through donations and fundraising.
The Oneida American Legion is sponsoring two veterans for the trip, and Commander Mary Borst presented Smith and Rotary president Mary Pat Adams with a check on Tuesday. Smith said groups like the Legion, Elk’s Lodge, Knights of Columbus, the Fireman’s Benevolent Association, the Canastota VFW, Oneida’s Club, Community Bank, NBT Bank and others make the trip possible.
In order to send all 52 veterans and their guests to D.C., Rotary needs about $18,000, Smith said. So far, the trip committee has raised about $13,000. “We still have people making payments and donations,” he said.
The trip committee will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser in February.
Those interested in sponsoring a veteran or donating to the trip in general can contact Smith at 315761-9450.