Plans under way to fly WW II veterans to Washington for free

Plans are under way to fly almost 100 World War II veterans living in the Wiregrass to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II memorial—free of charge.
The program is called Honor Flight, a national non-profit effort begun in 2004 for the purpose of flying war veterans to visit the memorial of the war in which they served. Since then, more than 17,000 veterans from around the country have been flown to Washington to visit their memorials.
The Wiregrass chapter of Honor Flight was organized recently, with hopes of flying at least 90 World War II veterans to Washington May 9.
Ronald Bedford, former Army Cmd. Sgt. Maj. who helped raise money and awareness to build a World War II memorial by walking from Mobile to Washington, D.C. in 1999, spoke at the Wiregrass Honor Flight kickoff ceremony Friday at Wiregrass Veteran’s Park in Dothan.
Bedford’s father served in World War II.
“He was my hero,“ Bedford said. “Doing something for these veterans is about family values, respect and doing the right thing.“
World War II veterans and those accompanying them will board a 737 in Dothan on the morning of May 9 and fly to Washington to visit the memorial. They will return late the same day. The total cost of the trip is estimated at $65,000 and plans have been launched to raise the money. The City of Dothan has already pledged $10,000. Many attending the announcement Friday pulled money from their wallets and purses to aid the fundraising effort.
Wiregrass World War II veterans who want to be on the Honor Flight must apply. Applications are available at each City Hall and Chamber of Commerce in Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark and Eufaula. Applications can also be printed at http://www.wiregrasshonorflight.org.

Priority will be given to World War II veterans who are above the age of 90 or terminally ill. Others will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Guardians are also needed to accompany the veterans. Guardian applications can be picked up at the same places.

For more information on the Wiregrass Honor Flight:
Dothan: 334-791-5749
Enterprise: 334-447-9179
Ozark: 334-774-0961
Eufaula: 334-695-1580
http://www.wiregrasshonorflight.org
http://www.honorflight.org