To the Editor:

The national Honor Flight Network began in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio, and was created solely to honor World War II veterans by sending them to Washington, D.C., to see the monument dedicated to their service. Honor Flight Southern Nevada was founded as an offshoot to provide the experience for our local veterans.

Veterans are chosen for the trip on a first-come, first-serve basis. The trip is a three-day trip spending the main day at the WWII Memorial and visiting other Washington, D.C., landmarks such as the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Veterans on a flight are accompanied by trained volunteer guardians, who assist veterans for the day. Medical personnel are with the veterans 24 hours a day.

Honor Flight Nevada is supported solely through donations and run by non-paid volunteers. There is no paid staff. Our veterans pay nothing.

Next month we are sending six WWII veterans on this amazing journey. They range from 86-94 years old.

As you can see, all of this takes money, lots of volunteers and coordination time. We have the help, but we need the donations of money that will allow us to honor, perhaps for the last time while they are still with us, “The Greatest Generation.”

Our WWII veterans need to be honored for their sacrifices, their bravery, their honor, their courage and their efforts that secured our freedom.

Should you wish to make a donation to send these six or others to Washington, D.C., you can donate to: Honor Flight, Southern Nevada in care of the Mesquite Veterans Center, 840 Hafen Lane, Mesquite, NV 89027.

Respectfully,

Allan S. Litman
President, Mesquite Veterans Center