Honor Flight for WWII Veterans

Sheriff’s Office coordinating Honor Flight for WWII veterans

PICKENS — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and American Legion Post 11 of Pickens are teaming to provide a way for local World War II veterans to visit Washington, D.C. and tour the memorial honoring their service.

Assistant Sheriff Tim Morgan said the tour, organized through Honor Flight Upstate, part of the National Honor Flight Network, is completely free for male and female World War II veterans. Donations and sponsorships from individuals and organizations defray the cost of $500 per veteran for the flight and tour.

“These people really sacrificed, and I’m proud to have an opportunity to participate in something like this in order to say thanks,” Morgan said, adding that the initial tour is scheduled to take place around the middle of May.

Nationally, Earl Morse, a physician assistant and retired Air Force captain, conceived the idea several years ago as a way of honoring the veterans he had taken care of for the past 27 years. More than 900 veterans have since realized their dream by visiting the World War II memorial.

Morgan said he became involved after viewing a CBS Morning Show segment on the Honor Flight program.

“I was moved when I saw the presentation and wanted to be a part of saying ‘Thank you’ to these great men and women,” Morgan said. “It stirs the emotions because these individuals literally saved the world during World War II. So, getting together with the American Legion, we wanted to do something for these folks.”

Realizing that World War II heroes are dying at a rate of more than 1,200 per day, Morgan said time is of the essence. While the trip is free of charge to veterans, Morgan pointed out that fundraising efforts from individuals and organizations are needed to pay the cost of the flight and tour.

“We’re going to contribute as much as we can and, hopefully, other groups will also want to participate,” Morgan said.

Donations are accepted through the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, People’s National Bank and at honorflightupstate.com. Honor Flight Upstate is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.

Morgan said the trip involves flying veterans to Washington, D.C. early in the morning and flying them back home later that evening. Caregivers accompany the veterans during the trip that, in addition to touring the World War II Memorial, also includes the Korean and Vietnam memorials and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to

witness the Changing of the Guard.

While touring the nation’s capital, Morgan said veterans would be provided lunch and soft drinks and coffee funded through donations.

“It’s their day,” he said. “It’s really catered to them and their needs and making it their day.”

Richard Reece, of American Legion, Post 11, of Pickens, said he has learned there are 353 veterans still living in Pickens County of which records exist.

“Some will be unable to participate due to age and health but, for those who are, we want to make this program available to them and take them to Washington, D.C.,”

Reece said. “It’s essentially our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to those World War II veterans who have given so much.”

Reece said he has handed out fliers, contacted ROTCs in all four high schools in Pickens County and is willing to speak to churches and civic groups in an effort to raise

funds for the trip. He can be reached at (864) 878-1014.

Morgan is hopeful sponsorships for the local veterans can be obtained.

“This may be the ‘last hurrah’ for many of these veterans,” he said.

Written by Greg Oliver of www.upstatetoday.com

http://www.upstatetoday.com/news/2009/feb/16/sheriffs-office-coordinating-honor-flight-wwii-vet/