Utah Honor Flight set to eclipse total of 1,500 veterans honored with June 14–16 trip
By David Cordero
Twelve southern Utah military veterans who served during World War II and the Korean War will head to Washington D.C. June 14 for the three-day Utah Honor Flight trip. The St. George group will join 38 veterans in Washington D.C. from the Wasatch Front, pushing the total number of veterans honored to more than 1,500 since Utah Honor Flight’s inception in October 2013. On June 16, the St. George group returns to Utah for a welcome-home ceremony at approximately 9 p.m. at the Dixie Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public. Many of the local veteran service organizations are expected to attend.
“To take our 1,500th veteran to Washington D.C. says so much about the support we have received from Utahns — from both the business community and patriotic individuals,” said UHF chairman Mike Turner. “We have come a long way from our first trip, but our mission is unchanged. We want these veterans to feel appreciated and maybe even find some closure during their Utah Honor Flight experience.”
The UHF trip includes a lengthy stop at the National Mall where the veterans will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National World War II Memorial, followed by stops at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There will also be excursions to visit other sites of interest, including the U.S. Navy Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and Fort McHenry.
The veterans comprise a wide range of military service, including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, including men who served in the Philippines during World War II and in the Chosin Reservoir in Korea. They will be escorted by guardians, typically sons, daughters, grandchildren,n or volunteers of the program.
“Often, a son or daughter who was guardian to their veteran parent will tell me that they heard several stories for the first time. An experience like this can further the bond felt between family members,” Turner said. “It is our objective to honor these great veterans now before it is too late.”
The expenses for the veterans are funded solely through donations from individuals and companies. Those interested in contributing to Utah Honor Flight can send donations to Utah Honor Flight, P.O. Box 42, Richfield, UT 84701 or call (435) 272-0254.
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