Honor Flight Network helps WWII vets visit Washington D.C. Memorial

1,000 per day.

That is rate at which we are losing our WWII Veterans. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization conceived by Earl Morse, a physician assistant and Retired Air Force Captain. Earl wanted to honor the veterans he had taken care of for the past 27 years and believes that these veterans have given so much it was time to honor them by making sure they were able to see the memorial built on their behalf. Honor Fight Network transports our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorial at no cost to the veteran.

Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very

existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. Now, with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out. Based on recent 2008 statistics, we are losing World War II veterans at the rate of approximately1,000 per day. Honor Flight Network will continue do whatever it takes to fulfill the dreams of our veterans and help our senior heroes travel absolutely free.

On August 11th, 351 WWII veterans arrived at Dulles Airport from Iowa and were met by cheering crowds. Most were overwhelmed by the reception they received and with tears in their eyes, our veterans began a long day of visiting the war memorials, beginning with the WWII Memorial. For many it was a day of remembering and sharing stories. While visiting Arlington National Cemetery, these veterans honored those they called the "real" heroes, those that didn't make it home to start a new life.

With the continued support of grateful Americans, by the end of the 2009 flying season in November, Honor Flight Network will have transported more than 42,165 veterans of World War II, Korea and Viet Nam to see the memorials built to honor their suffering and sacrifice to keep this great nation free and a world leader.

In the future, Honor Flight Network will also pay tribute to America's other heroes who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, followed by veterans of more current wars. They, too, have given so much and it's time we show them that their efforts are not forgotten. Honor Flight Network has learned a lot over these last four years and one point that stands out is that our veteran heroes aren't asking for recognition. It is the Honor Flight's position that they deserve it.

Do you know a WWII veteran who would like to see the WWII memorial? For more information and an application, click here

For pictures of a recent Honor Flight Network trip to D.C. click here