World War II veterans in the Historic Triangle have a chance to visit the National World War II Memorial in October.
The local Honor Flight hub is preparing for its eighth trip to Washington, D.C. transporting WWII veterans to see the memorial, visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps Memorial and other monuments and memorials on Oct. 20.
The free trip is open to all WWII veterans who have not already traveled with the Honor Flight Network. Korean War veterans are also invited to participate when space is available.
“The opportunity for WWII veterans to see this magnificent memorial is an amazing experience,” said Matt Hartman, director of the local Honor Flight Chapter, in a press release. “The United States is currently losing its WWII veterans at a rate of 700 per day. It is now more important than ever we make sure that these heroes have the chance to see the Memorial — their memorial.”
The Honor Flight Network is dedicated to making sure all WWII veterans are provided a chance to be safely taken to the memorial on the National Mall. The Virginia Hub organizes two bi-annual bus trips; so far, the local hub has organized trips for more than 600 WWII veterans from Hampton Roads, Williamsburg and northeast North Carolina.
Applications for veterans and volunteers to serve as guardians can be found on the HFHTVA website or by calling 1-800-619-0578. Wheelchair-bound veterans can be accommodated.
Participants for the trip will meet on Saturday morning, Oct. 20, at the Indian River Road Park & Ride in Chesapeake for departure to Washington, D.C. The group will stop in Williamsburg at the Colonial Heritage Clubhouse to pick up additional participants and for a departure ceremony.
Meals are provided to all attendees. All veterans on the trip are accompanied by a trained volunteer guardian, who will assist the veteran for the entire day.
