N.D. group schedules ‘Honor Flight’ for May

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Logan C. Adams

Terri Finneman over at “The N.D. Capitol and Beyond” forwarded this press release to me. I’m posting it here because I think it’s really cool and want to draw as much attention to it as possible.

A fifth Roughrider Honor Flight is scheduled to take off for Washington, DC, on May 6, 2011. The Honor Flight program recognizes World War II veterans by transporting them free of charge so that they may visit the National WWII memorial, completed in 2004.

“It is a great privilege to honor the courageous actions of these humble servicemen and women by providing them with a complimentary trip to see their monument,” said Kevin Cramer, chair of the RRHF committee. “The veterans so enjoyed this experience. We hope that the public will continue to support our mission.”

The Honor Flight program does not receive any public funding; it relies solely on private donations. Contributions to the RRHF program are tax deductible and can be sent to PO Box 220, Bismarck, ND 58502. The cost per trip is approximately $175,000.

“Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated and accepted from anyone except the veterans we serve,” said Cramer.

In addition to visiting the WWII memorial, the veterans tour the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and Iwo Jima memorials, and Arlington National Cemetery where they observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The veterans will return from Washington, DC, on May 7, 2011.

The RRHF group has escorted almost 400 servicemen and women. An additional 800 veterans have traveled on flights originating in Fargo and Grand Forks.

The Bismarck-based organization is currently the only active group serving North Dakota veterans. Applications are available online at www.rrhonorflight.com or by calling (701) 373-5416.

The WWII memorial pays homage to the 16 million Americans who served during the campaign. Of the 69,000 men and women from North Dakota who served during WWII, it is estimated that 6,000 are still living. 
 

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2 Responses to N.D. group schedules ‘Honor Flight’ for May

  1. Mary Mahoney says:
    November 10, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    My dad and father-in-law didn’t live long enough to participate in this wonderful program. Therefore, I would like to sponsor a veteran, and also go along as a helper at my own expense, if there is someone who needs a companion. I prefer to help out someone from Grand Forks if possible. Let me know the next step and how much it will cost to sponsor one man’s trip. Thank you.

    • Roughrider Honor Flight says:
      November 11, 2010 at 9:06 am

      Hi Mary, You are very kind to want to donate to the Honor Flight program. You can make an electronic donation by going to our website rrhonorflight.com or donations can be sent to:Roughrider Honor Flight
      PO Box 220
      Bismarck, ND. 58502
      If you have further questions, please feel free to call us at 1-701-373-5416. Thank you