Staples Host Lions Honor Flight Central Minnesota is pleased to announce another “Veterans to Washington, D.C. #2”; a special project organized to honor World War II, Korean and any terminally ill veteran with a free trip to their memorials in Washington, D.C., April 15 - April 16, 2011. There will be a send off April 14, 2011, at Staples Motley High School Gym and a Welcome Home April 17, 2011, at T Maxwell’s restaurant in Staples.

To quote Will Rogers, “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.” So true, together we have an opportunity to pay tribute to a group of men and women who altered history.

In May, 2004 the World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C., was dedicated to honor the men and women who stepped forward and sacrificed much to preserve the traditions of the United States. Unfortunately, many of those veterans were in their 80’s to 90’s at the time of the dedication and for numerous reasons could not attend the ceremony. And, even more tragic, thousands have passed away.

In addition to these WW II Vets, Korean War Vets also are deserving of seeing their Korean War Memorial on the Mall in D.C. Staples Host Lions Honor Flight Central Minnesota is raising money to send 20 veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge. This is a tribute to those who gave so much.

The veterans and guardians will depart Staples on Friday, April 15, 2011, for Washington, D.C., and return April 16, 2011. The veterans’ trips are free but the guardians, individuals who are assigned veterans and help veterans with whatever is needed on the trip, must pay their own costs- approximately $500. Each guardian may be assigned up to three veterans to assist.

Like the ‘08 Veterans to Washington, D.C., trip and as a special tribute, we will again have “Mail Call”. When these veterans were on active duty “Mail Call” was really important because it was their only source of “news from home” and we would like to have “Mail Call” on this trip to Washington, D.C. The veterans will have time to read mail when traveling by bus to the airport; when flying from Minneapolis to Washington D.C.; and finally when we return home.

Anyone could write a letter thanking them for their sacrifice and service for our country. Hopefully, we can have many letters for each veteran thanking them for their contribution.

These letters would be needed by April 11, 2011. Return letters to: Frank Odell, 12448 Ponderosa Dr. Staples, MN 56479, or give to any Staples Host Lions member.

There will be an informational meeting 7 p.m. June 21, 2010, at the Lions Building, 402 Wisconsin Ave. Applications for veterans and guardians are available from any Lions member. In selecting veterans, priority will be given to: veterans in our area, WW II, Korean and then any terminally ill vet in this order based on the date Host Lions receive the application. Priority for Guardians will be determined by the Host Lions Veterans Committee and all decisions of the Host Lions Committee are final.
Frank Odell
Staples Host Lions
Staples, Minn.