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| Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota Fund raising planned in Slayton |
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February 24, 2010 |
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| By Norma Dittman | |
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Throughout the four most southwestern counties of Minnesota, fund raisers are being conducted in an attempt to raise $136,000 to help provide a two-day trip, free of charge, for all World War II Veterans who might wish to make a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. The contingent would also attend ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. The trip is part of Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota. Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota was organized as a committee during November of 2009. The committee’s purpose is to honor WWII veterans throughout southwest Minnesota. VA statistics indicate that there are many WWII veterans in the four southwest counties of the state. To date, several fund raisers throughout the four counties have successfully raised funds towards the $136,000 goal. Murray County Veterans Services Officer, Jim Reinert recently shared information about fund raising efforts in Murray County. In Slayton, Minnesota, two events have been planned to help raise funds. On Saturday, April 3rd, the Red Rock Conference Alumni Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the WWII Memorial Honor Flight. “We certainly want to encourage people to attend the alumni basketball game. Community Education Director Ryan Beers has told us that proceeds from the game are going towards the Honor Flight which will be of benefit to the fundraising,” Reinert said. Saturday, April 17th, is the day set for a 5K Run/Walk sponsored by the Murray County Wellness Team & Murray County Fundraiser for World War II Veterans "Honor Flight". Entertainment During the 5K Run/Walk will be provided by Jerry, the Country Gentleman. Complete plans for this event are still underway and more information will be made available at a later date. Besides these two big events, the Murray County Honor Flight Committee has distributed donation buckets to businesses within the county. Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota buttons are available at a cost of $5.00 at Veterans Services at the Murray County Courthouse and at businesses throughout Murray County. “The members of the Murray County Honor Flight Committee have faith that the citizens of Murray County will do what they can to help in raising the funds that will be used to help honor these World War II Veterans,” Reinert stated. The Murray County Honor Flight Committee is comprised of Reinert, Gary Stoner, Chuck Vasgaard, Larry Dahl, Chuck Benda, Margaret Popp, Sandy Anderson, Don Blair, and Judy Carlson. “Anyone who is interested in helping in any way with the Honor Flight Fundraising is certainly encouraged to give any one of the committee members a call,” Reinert commented. Fund raising efforts began in December for Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota. The first flight to Washington DC will be in the Spring of this year. It is anticipated that 110 to 120 WWII veterans and 50-60 guardians will fly on a chartered 737 for the two-day trip. The National WWII Memorial was dedicated during 2004. The Honor Flight concept was launched to enable WWII Veterans to visit the memorial at no cost to them. “Once the veterans arrive in Washington, DC, there is a complete program that honors them. Bob Dole is committed to greeting every Minnesota contingent of the Honor Flights. The whole program of the Honor Flights is a wonderful way to honor these veterans,” Reinert stated. For more information or to donate to Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota, please call 507-220-0848. |
©Fulda Free Press 2010