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Plans for second annual Texas Panhandle Honor Flight underway |
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Saturday, July 04 2009 |
By: Brooke Huff
Reporter
Former U.S. President Harry S. Truman once said, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifice.”
As a way to honor those men and women who fought for America during World War II and the Korean War, America Supports You Texas started the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight. Fundraising for the second annual Honor Flight is now underway. This year's flight will take place from October 7 through 9, 2009, and will leave from Amarillo. World War II and Korea Veterans will travel to Washington D.C., with all expenses paid, for three days and two nights, where they will visit the War Memorials built to honor their service and sacrifice. Selected guardian volunteers wishing to take part in this patriotic trip to Washington D.C. will pay their own way, but are welcome. American Airlines “Flagship Liberty” 737 aircraft will have the honor of flying the veterans and their guardian volunteers from Amarillo directly to Washington Reagan Airport, in Washington D.C.
Highlights for the trip will include visits and wreath presentations at each of the War Memorials, including the World War II Memorial, the Korea Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. A special wreath ceremony will also be conducted by the veterans for the casualties from the Global War on Terrorism at the Cemetery. Each veteran will be given the opportunity to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony before they leave Washington D.C. Other stops along the way include tours of the Pentagon, the nation's Capitol Building and Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Elected officials from throughout the State of Texas have been invited to attend special dinner functions to personally thank the veterans for their service.
The Texas Panhandle is currently home to more than 2,500 of these veterans. Due to their senior age, coupled with the prediction that we are losing 1,000 to 1,200 of them daily, the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight helps make veterans' dreams of visiting the War Memorials a reality. The Panhandle effort will focus on both WWII veterans and Korea veterans, as well as those veterans from any war that have a terminal illness, making time of the essence. Anyone knowing a WWII or Korean veteran can call 806-681-3596 or e-mail
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to request a veteran application for consideration in the event.
“This program presents a wonderful opportunity for the citizens of Borger and the Texas Panhandle to demonstrate their pride in these heroes and their patriotism, and will make us proud to call this our home,” said America Supports You Texas President Jack Barnes.
America Supports You Texas is currently working to raise funds so that every seat on the aircraft is filled, he said. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information about America Supports You Texas, log on to www.AmericaSupportsYouTexas.org.
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Last Updated ( Monday, July 06 2009 )
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