INDIANA AMVETS BRING WWII VETS TO VISIT THEIR MEMORIAL By Ryan Gallucci More than 150 WWII veterans and their chaperones came to visit the National WWII Memorial this spring thanks to a generous donation by Indianapolis AMVETS Post 99. AMVETS National Commander John P. “JP” Brown III greeted the veterans as they arrived at the memorial for their tour of the Nation’s Capitol.   “It’s a touching moment, welcoming the veterans to their memorial,” said Brown. “It is our obligation as a veterans’ service organization to honor and preserve the memory of these brave men and women. This monument will serve as a brilliant tribute to their sacrifices for generations to come.”

Retired Sen. Bob Dole, speaks with Indiana veterans at the National WWII Memorial during the May 21 Honor Flight sponsored by Indiana AMVETS Post 99. Post 99 raised more than $80,000 to sponsor the trip for nearly 150 WWII veterans and chaperones. Photo by Jay Agg

On Monday and Wednesday throughout the spring, summer, and fall, the Ohio-based non-profit Honor Flight Network brings veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the WWII Memorial. A tentative schedule of this year’s Honor Flights can be viewed on their national Web site, www.honorflight.org.

AMVETS Post 99 raised the necessary $80,000 to fund the Indianapolis Honor Flight through bingo nights hosted at the post.

Indiana Congressman Stephen Buyer was on hand to greet his constituents, alongside retired Senator and decorated WWII veteran Bob Dole.

Dole tries to make it to the memorial for each Honor Flight, so that he has the opportunity to acknowledge those with whom he shared the battlefield more than 60 years ago.

“It’s really important to everybody, whether you’re a veteran or not, because it’s a symbol of sacrifice and the price we pay for freedom and liberty,” said Dole. “When you see the hundreds of thousands killed, represented by the gold stars [on the memorial], it’s an emotional trip for these older guys.”

As the Honor Flights continue throughout the year, AMVETS will look to be on hand, welcoming the veterans and to thank them for their service.

To learn more about the veterans who came to Washington for the Indianapolis Honor Flight, check out this summer’s issue of “American Veteran.”

Media Contact:
National
Communications Director
Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035
jagg@amvets.org

National
Publications Editor
Isaac Pacheco
(301)-683-4038
ipacheco@amvets.org

National
Media Specialist
Ryan Gallucci
(301)683-4073
rgallucci@amvets.org