Don Hummel of Newton shows a picture of himself from his service days prior to his Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. last fall. Another trip for county veterans unable to attend the trips is being planned.
By PETER HUSSMANN
"My life is now complete."
Those words, spoken by a Jasper County World War II veteran at the conclusion of a whirlwind day last fall where 51 area veterans, on three different trips, took in the memorials in the nation's capital, have stuck in the mind of a Baxter man ever since.
"That trip in November was a life-changing event for me," said Doug Bishop of his experience in helping escort the county veterans around the memorials in Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight program. "And I know it was life changing for the veterans who were able to attend."
But that's the rub. Not all of the county veterans who wanted to take the Honor Flight trip were able to attend.
"Our list was longer than the seats available," Bishop said.
So, the Newton American Legion member is looking to rectify the situation and "complete" the mission of paying tribute to some of our nation's greatest heroes.
On May 27, Bishop plans to put the 26 area veterans who did not get to take the Honor Flight trip last fall on a chartered plan in Newton and help escort the group of war veterans around the memorials in Washington, D.C. The plane has room for 30 veterans. In addition, 10 guardians/medical personnel are paying $350 each to help escort the veterans on the trip.
But to do that, Bishop and the small band of cohorts working to pull off the trip, need to raise $35,000, no small task in today's tight economy but something he has every confidence will succeed.
"You have to realize that we wouldn't have the life we have today without the sacrifices these soldiers made," he said. "Where would we be without them?"
Bishop said a fund-raising push will begin next week with a mass mailing to area businesses.
Contributions to the Jasper Honor Flight can be made to:
Business/Corporate
Jasper Community Foundation
c/o Jasper Honor Flight
P.O. Box 924
Newton, Iowa 50208
Individual
American Legion Post 111
c/o Jasper Honor Flight
1101 W. 4th St. S.
Newton, Iowa 50208
All donations are tax deductible through a 501(c)3 designation.
"We're trying to ensure that these Vets get the honor that they so richly deserve," Bishop said. "Jasper County residents have a long tradition of rising to the occasion."
For more information, contact Bishop at 641-417-8885 or by e-mail at jasperhonorflight@yahoo.com
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