Adopt a WWII vet

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County World War Two veterans will have a chance to see the new World War Two Memorial in Washington, DC — all expenses paid.

Money to pay for the trip is being raised by the Leadership Wayne Class of 2006, a group of Wayne county business people who have recently completed a training program to learn all aspects of the county. The leadership program is the creation of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce, which selects business people each year who work in Wayne.

The 2006 class, which graduated last June, instead of working on a special project to benefit the county, decided to benefit a very special population in the county; namely, its World War Two veterans.

“These people (WWII vets) have never asked for any recognition,” said chamber representative Debbie Gillette. “Well, we feel that recognizing them is well deserved and long past due.”

Approximately 16 million Americans served in WWII and over 400,000 gave their lives to the fight.

It is estimated that about three million of these veterans are alive today, but they are dying at a rate of 1,200 to 1,500 a day, Gillette said. The age of these veterans vary from 76 to 103 years old.

“It is with a sense of urgency that Leadership Wayne feels we need to honor these veterans,” she said. “Most of these veterans will never visit the memorial on their own due to health, financial, family and motivational limitations.”

The trip to Washington, DC will be held on May 19, 2007. The flight, ground transportation, wheelchairs, meals and other necessities are free of charge to veterans, spouses and care givers.

“We will fly the veterans from Avoca to Reagan Airport,” Gillette said. “We have been working with U.S. Air, as well as the Honor Air Program based in North Carolina.

The cost of the trip is estimated at $75,000 to $100,000. The price tag to send each person is $350. Already, 60 vets have responded, with 40 more places to fill. The program can accomodate 100 vets.

“We are asking for donations for this project,” said Gail Tucker, Executive Director of the Greater Honesdale Partnership, which is also supporting this project.

Anyone who is willing to adopt a vet may send their donation to: Leadership Wayne 2006, c/o Honesdale National Bank, PO Box 350, Honesdale, PA 18431, Attn: Tammy Handler.