Group funds US WWII vets’ trips to memorial sites in Washington

• Veterans go at no cost to them

• Northern California hub opens

• Inaugural tour from San Francisco Bay Area set

Honor Flight network covers WWII veterans’ tour of Washington, DC. HONOR FLIGHT PHOTO

SANTA CLARA, California – A network that helps fund the transportation of US World War II veterans to Washington, DC to visit memorials honoring their service and sacrifices recently opened a hub to serve the greater San Francisco/Monterey Bay Area.

Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation, which is part of the Honor Flight nationwide network, is getting ready for its inaugural tour, scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 16-18, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Virgin Airlines.

A  “flight orientation” meeting with about 30 WWII veterans will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 6 at the American Legion Post 419, located at 958 Homestead Road, Santa Clara.

The cost for a three-day Honor Flight tour for accompanying guardians is $1,200, which covers air and ground transportation, lodging and meals. The veterans’ costs are covered by donations collected.

The nationwide network sends World War II veterans to Washington, DC, at no cost to the veterans. They receive guided tours of the World War II Memorial and other memorial sites in the city, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many veterans never get a chance to go to the nation’s capital to see the monument dedicated to their service.

“Only 1.7 million World War II veterans are still alive today and about 500 of these individuals pass away every day,” said Capt. Carl Stewart, U.S. Navy (Ret), president and co-founder of the new Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation.

“Public support is absolutely vital. We need the financial and personal assistance of Bay Area residents, businesses and other organizations to help support as volunteers and to help fund trips to Washington, DC for World War II veterans in our region.”

Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network across the United States has tried to ensure that remaining World War II veterans have the opportunity to see their monument and be recognized for their service.

Once sufficient funds have been raised for an Honor Flight trip, a group of up to 30 veterans is flown to Washington, DC. Veterans are issued color-coded shirts and identification and are

The World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital. HONOR FLIGHT PHOTOS

accompanied by volunteer “guardians” who help manage their needs and assist wheelchair-bound men and women.

“Honor Flight offers our esteemed WWII veterans the experience of a lifetime, where they are recognized and honored every step of the way,” said Stewart. “These men and women fought for world freedom from tyranny and every volunteer and donation represents our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he added.

As World War II veterans pass away, the Honor Flight tradition will transition to veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In addition, the most senior veterans of these conflicts, or those who are terminally ill, will be served first.

(For any more information call Victoria Sanchez de Alba 650-270-7810.

To make a financial donation: Please go to https://www.honorflight.org/. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. To apply as a WWII veteran for trip sponsorship, or to serve as a trip guardian or volunteer, please fill out the appropriate Honor Flight application found on the website.)