Local vets take Honor Flight trip to D.C.

VW independent/submitted information

A group of local veterans had the chance to go on a Dayton-based Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., this past weekend, thanks to the efforts of the Van Wert County Veterans Service Office and a number of generous donations.

The veterans group included World War II veterans William Bolenbaugh, Harold Liebrecht, David Poe and Ruth Stump, Korean War vets Bryon Showalter, Frank Conn, and Thomas Sunderland, and Vietnam War veterans Steve Anderson, David Bolenbaugh, Richard Heitz and Gary Thomas. Accompanying them as “guardians” were Sharon Miller, Michael Conn, Jeff Medford, Debra Germann and Veterans Service Officer Barry Johns.

While in Washington, the veterans had the chance to visit their respective war memorials and see some of the sights in the nation’s capital.

The group also had a lot of support from area businesses, groups and individuals. Johns contacted Lynda Ragan, advisor to Vantage Career Center’s FCCLA chapter, which had created lap blankets for an earlier Honor Flight trip that originated in Toledo. Unfortunately, with school out, the Vantage group was unable to make blankets. However, Ragan contacted Greg Gambell of the Van Wert Shooting Stars 4-H Club, which made lap blankets for the veterans to take on their trip to Washington. Donations to purchase material for the blankets came from the Convoy Conservation and Fox Hunters Club, Larry and Linda Stutz, Scott Lions Club, Van Wert Community Club and the local Knights of Columbus unit.

Also helping out was Taylor’s Auto Sales and Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, which provided vans to transport the veterans group to Dayton and back. Paul Coburn and Mike Morris were volunteer drivers for the group.

The veterans, guardians and drivers were also treated to dinner at a Bob Evans restaurant in Tipp City, thanks to donations from the local K of C, Ryan and Debra Long and “a grateful American family.”

Johns also thanked Bill Nicklas and the Dayton Honor Flight organization for allowing local veterans to go on the flight. Anyone wanting to donate to the group, which allows veterans to fly free to Washington (guardians must pay), can send donations to Nicklas at Honor Flight Dayton Inc., 525 Victory Road, Springfield, OH 45504.

Veterans interested in going on an Honor Flight, as well as those interested in being guardians, can download applications from the Honor Flight Dayton website (www.honorflightdayton.org) or can stop in at the local Veterans Service Office in the basement of the Van Wert County Courthouse to pick up an application.

In addition to the flights, Honor Flight Dayton also honors deceased veterans who never saw their memorials, as well as living veterans who may never see them, through an “Honoring Yesterday’s Heroes” ceremony. Information on the ceremony is also available from the above website or at the local Veterans Service Office.