You may have heard the fundraising for Honor Flight Nevada that's been going on in our community. just last weekend the Iron nation Motorcycle Club raised more than $12,000 to help out.
You may have seen the Honor Flight representatives at other fundraisers around town as well. Sam's Clubs in northern Nevada are on board. So is the United Federal Credit Union. And so is the Nevada Federation of Republican Women.
"To us it was so important to honor them because we're running out of time," said Chairwoman Lynne hartung.
In fact, her group gave a check for $1,200 to Honor Flight Nevada this week.
It is all going to help get the estimated 400-500 World War II veterans from Nevada to Washington D.C. to see the war memorials. All veterans fly free of charge. Honor Flight picks up the airfare, the food, the hotel, the transportation and even the souvenirs.
They have been working for two years now to make this trip a reality. It's an effort that has taken time and a lot of volunteers. Bill Willsie of Fallon helps with the applications.
"It's been like a living history lesson," he says. "It's so great to talk to submariners, paratroopers and prisoners of war from Guada Canal and the entire war operation."
And Jon Yuspa is working to get the whole community involved. The first Honor Flight Nevada flight of 40 Nevada veterans is set for October 5th. The group arrives home in the afternoon of Sunday, October 7th. And he's hoping they are greeted by a huge and enthusiastic crowd at the airport when they get here.
"We're looking for the community to show up and show these folks the thanks they never got when they came home from war..and show them support and honor them."
They also need help putting together care packages for the veterans during the trip. If you're interested in getting involved, or getting your students, your school or your business involved contact Jon Yuspa at www.honorflightnv.org
If you want to pick up a patriotic specialty bag contact Lynne Hartung at Lhartung@ktvn.com
Written by Erin Breen
