Our combat veterans who have served in any war have performed a tremendous service to the U.S. Those who have not served in a war zone can only see glimpses of the horrors faced by our warriors through movies such as “We Were Soldiers” or “Saving Private Ryan.”
The Honor Flights program, where war veterans are flown to Washington D.C. to see war memorials there, is a fabulous thank you to these individuals who sacrificed so much.
There is no cost to veterans. The cost to a supporting family member is $700.
Top priority is given to America’s most senior heroes — survivors of World War II and any veteran with a terminal illness who wishes to visit their memorial. The program will naturally transition to Korean War, Vietnam War and all other veterans who served, on a chronological basis, according to the national Honor Flights website.
Also according to the website, veterans that are willing and able of getting on a plane or bus and all men and women who have served stateside or overseas are eligible.
As it should be, the living World War II veterans went first. They are now moving on to a Korean War veterans.
It seems like those that have served in a combat zone ought to have priority over those that served in the U.S., however.
While each veteran’s dedication is admirable, those that risked their lives every moment of every day should have a cut to the front of the line.
Karen La Pierre