World War II was a long time ago, before the time that many of us were born.  But there are still those around us that served during that Great War, and still deserve the love and respect of any hero.

Because the World War II memorial was put into place so late in history, many never got to see the memorial that was built in their honor.  The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization that is on a mission… a mission to get as many WWII vets back to Washington DC to see the memorials that were built on their behalf.

The flight will be taking off on August 25, 2009 from Grand Junction Regional Airport with 110 WWII vets from Western Colorado, and 70 guardians will be accompanying them to the memorials.

They will be returning on August 26, 2009 and a public “Hero’s Welcome” is planned at about 5:15pm.  The return flight is open to anyone in the community that would like to welcome home their hero’s

Many have forgotten, or simply never knew, the dangers that our country faced during WWII – but there are those that simply can’t forget, because they sacrificed more than anyone can imagine.

The Honor Flight Network needs two things.  1) Letters to Veterans  and 2) Donations for flights, and medical supplies (like wheelchairs and portable oxygen tanks)

If you would like to give a donation to the Western Slope Honor Flight Network, please send donations to:

The other thing that we need more of are letters to the veterans.  These are thank you letters to our WWII vets for the services that they provided us, and the freedoms that the helped to guarantee around the world.

Letters to our World War II vets can be sent to:

Vet letters are needed before August 15, 2009

If there are questions about donations to Honor Flight Network, or on sending letters to the vets, please contact us directly ( 970-985-4192) and we’ll get you in touch with the right people.

I’m going to conclude this article with my own letter to our vets.  Let this letter serve as a template or guideline in writing your own letter to a World War II veteran.

It is addressed directly to my grandfather, since I have someone from WWII that is still with us, and whom I wish to thank.  To all vets, please insert your own name too, as I thank you all, no matter what war you’ve fought.

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Dear GrandDad,

I want to thank you for the sacrifices that you made more than 50 years ago.  At a time when my mother wasn’t even born, and I wasn’t a thought in anyones mind, yet you went over seas and did what you had to to keep America safe.  For me, my children, and my grand-children of the future.

You knew that that any sacrifice you made, would have lasting impact, and provide a better life for future generations.

I have to thank you for all that I can do today…..

I can walk down the street, without fear of the Gustapo or secret police…

I can speak on any topic I wish, left or right, and do so without fear of repercussions.

There are freedoms that we have today, that wouldn’t have been possible if the enemy had won.

I’ve seen the footage and pictures of the horrors of war, so I have a small insight into what you were faced with… but I will never know the horrors and nightmares that you kept inside, shielding us from ever having to know.

And after it all, you seemed to come through it all, and you did OK.   You were able to raise your family, the values of which I was raised with, and still hold onto to this day.

In the 35 years that I’ve been around, I don’t think that I’ve ever taken the time to thank you for the services that you’ve rendered.  I’ve always thought it, but never written nor spoken of my praise for you.

So Grandfather, I thank you for our freedom and the services you performed and the sacrifices that you made, as does millions and millions of Americans around the world.

Your grandson,

Matt

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