We need your help in honoring World War II veterans across the Tennessee Valley.

Our country’s “Greatest Generation” veterans are dying at a rate of 1,200 a day. That’s why a community-wide project called Honor Flight was created. You may have read about this project in the Huntsville Times. After publishing stories explaining the effort, the newspaper was bombarded by calls, letters, and e-mails from grateful and eager veterans. More than 100 have completed applications to join their fellow veterans on a one-day, all-expense-paid, round trip from Huntsville to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. We are asking for your help in fulfilling one of their final and most fervent wishes.

The national Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse, a physician assistant and retired Air Force captain, in 2004 – the same year the WWII Memorial opened in Washington. The sole purpose of Morse’s efforts is straightforward and pure spirited: To transport veterans to D.C. to be honored at their memorial.

Huntsville is one of the first cities to embrace its own Honor Flight campaign, which is based on the national program’s model. We pride ourselves on being an extraordinarily patriotic and caring community. Our reputation is attributed to leaders like you who have answered the call to assist and honor local soldiers. Surely, no other city views patriotism and service to our country more seriously and sentimentally.

So please make one more gesture of gratitude to our veterans by donating to this unique effort. The youngest WWII veterans are in their late 70s, so we have no time to waste. Your donations are tax-deductible and stay in the Tennessee Valley. They will be used to provide transportation, meals, T-shirts, disposable cameras, fuel, and other basic necessities. Ground transportation, meals, and snacks will be arranged to make each veteran – some of whom are in fragile health – as comfortable as possible.

The inaugural Honor Flight trip for the Tennessee Valley was completed on April 4, 2007, with subsequent flights as needed, and according to available funds. Please send your donation to: Honor Flight Tennessee Valley c/o Huntsville Times P.O. Box 1487 WS Huntsville, AL 35807

The pillars surrounding the WWII Memorial.

The Times will publish the names of contributors (both individual and organizations) in the newspaper and on the website. If you wish to make a donation in honor of a veteran of any war or a currently serving member of our military, the newspaper and the website will include that as well. Honor Flight thanks you for helping to make our veterans’ dream come true.

Honor Flight, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit corporation. All donations are tax deductible.