Honor Flight #4 for WWII Vets Set for May 23, 2012

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2012
Subject: Honor Flight #4 Myrtle Beach Set forWednesday, May 23, 2012
Contact: Kris Southard, Honor Flight Volunteer, 843-833-3616
ksouthard3@eei3.com www.honorflightmyrtlebeach.com

Honor Flight #4 ForWWII Vets Set for May 23, 2012

Myrtle Beach, SC

The Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach chapter of Honor Flight South Carolina has announced their 4th flight to Washington, DC and is set for Wednesday, May 23, 2012. The Honor Flight organization provides able WWII veterans with a free flight to Washington, DC where they will visit the WWII Memorial which was dedicated in 2004.

The last Honor Flight out of the Grand Strand area was October 26, 2011 which included 86 veterans, 59 guardians, Honor Flight organizers, and a medical crew of four.

The one-day trip includes a ceremony at the beautifulWWII Memorial in honor of these veterans and trips to the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, theMarineMemorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other historic landmarks. “We lose between 1,000 and 1,200 WWII veterans a day nationally as most are now in their 80s and 90s”, saidWalter Kollet, Chairperson for Honor Flight Myrtle Beach. “Most WWII veterans lack the ways and means to visit their Memorial. With Honor Flight, wemake that visit possible,” Kollet added.

Because of the declining numbers, theMyrtle Beach chapter has adopted the slogan, “Time is of the Essence.” “Our mission is to locate and sign up as many of our able local Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand veterans as we can to go on this trip,” said Kris Southard, Director of Public Relations, noting that Honor Flight will continue to fly WWII veterans to Washington “as long as we can fill a plane”.

Honor Flight is a national, non-profit 501(c)3 organization with chapters throughout the United States. Kollet said that each flight costs $60,000 and money is raised entirely from donations and fundraising events. “We rely on the generosity of the Grand Strand community to get the job done,” Kollet said. Southard adds, “The fact that we’re planning our fourth flight just shows how supportive the community has been.”

Honor Flight #4 will leave Myrtle Beach International Airport themorning ofWednesday, May 23 on a special charter flight by USAirways. They will return that evening to a “Welcome Home” celebration at the airport. “The last Welcome Home Ceremony in October was fantastic with so many people greeting the veterans, a brass band playing, and school children waving flags. The whole experience was pretty emotional,” said Southard, who has helped coordinate the last two ceremonies. Fundraising continues for Honor Flight #4 and seats remain available toWWII veterans who are able to make the trip which is free of charge to them. AMay 8th golf tournament at True Blue in Pawleys Islandis already being planned to help offset the cost of the trip.  Kollet states, “AnyWWII veteran who wants to make the May 23rd trip should contact  Honor Flight immediately at (843) 957-8212.” Seats also remain for Guardian Sponsors who make a donation to fly and assist the veterans. “We urgently need donations in any amount to make this flight possible,” Kollet adds.

Donations can be made to Honor Flight Myrtle Beach at P.O. Box 1212, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Visit www.honorflightmyrtlebeach.com for more information and applications.  Donations made via the the website will be secure.