Help our WWII vets: Keep Honor Flights flying

You can help fulfill a dream for South Florida's aging World War II veterans: a visit to the Washington, DC memorial that was built to honor them. The vets are aging, and time is growing short.


Honor Flights Southeast Florida has made the dream come true for 1,600 veterans since 2009, flying our aging heroes to the World War II Memorial for a day, at no cost to them, sometimes with volunteer guardians who assist them to get around during the trip. You can see pictures of the 2011 trip here. 


Honor Flights needs our help to keep the dream aloft. The next trip is scheduled for October 24, 2015, but with a major donor recently bowing out, the non-profit is scrambling to find $65,000 to cover expenses, which include chartering an American Airlines jet, bus transportation to and from airports and around Washington, a police escort, meals for the day and t-shirts and hats. The typical trip accommodates 85 veterans.

Here is how you can help: Roger Dean Stadium is hosting a fundraiser film night on August 26 at 7:30, featuring a film about the evolution of honor flights and the World War II vets. Find out more here.


You can also make a direct donation; see how here. Also, if you would like to volunteer in any capacity, click here. 



I would be remiss if I did not mention two outstanding members of our community who have stepped up to make sure the October Honor Flight is a go: Dr. Shamsher Singh, a Port St. Lucie dermatologist who has accompanied many frail vets on prior trips, and has pledged to match every dollar of the first $10,000 raised. Also notable is Max Houss, a Palm Beach Gardens retiree and World War II vet, who has made the same pledge. Our hats are off to these wonderful people.

Let's do it for the veterans.