Political Football

Yesterday, Pam Ramer visited the Muscatine County Republican Women to talk about the Honor Tours for WWII Veterans, raising money to send local WWII Veterans to see the WWII Memorial in Washington D. C.

This group should not be confused with the Honor Flight program that operates around the US.  The Honor Tours were developed and sponsored financially at at local level but will take as many VETS of WWII as possible or as many as they can afford to take.  WWII Vets are dying at a rate of  more than 1,000 a day.

The next Honor tour starts May 13 at 8:30am.  There is a ceremony at the American Legion, where the bus starts.  The trip to the airport starts up Houser to Mulberry, then winds west again to through downtown, up East Fifth Street to Park Avenue and out HWY 61 to the Moline Airport.  Please consider taking some time off to salute these Veterans on their way to D. C.

Tom Browkaw labeled this group “the Greatest Generation” and because of their sacrifice, and the perils of those times – it would be hard not to agree with that assesment.  During WWII there was a huge effort enlisting 16 million men and women who served in the military, and almost 1/2 million died defending freedom around the world.  We have an amazing volunteer military today with 2.4 million combined regular and national guard.  One can’t help but wonder how the media would have protrayed events during WWII if media had the same access and sensibilities (or lack thereof).  I suppose there was no such thing friendly fire…

http://www.ww2honortour.com/contactus.html

Pam told stories about how AirTran, Wendy’s and Marriot have been helpful keeping costs down to $1,000 per vet, and how the 4 day tour is unique from other tours.

Almost everyone has a WWII Vet story, mine is here.

Again, don’t confuse solicitation for funds from the 1,2 day “Honor Flights” versus the 4 day “Honor Tour” sponsored specifically for Muscatine WWII Vets.

They are trying to raise funds to a third group this fall.  Please watch for their fundraisers and Mark May 13th on your calendar to watch them start their special journey.

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