‘Last Frontier Honor Flight’ flies again

The problem with veterans groups from wartime eras is membership eventually shrinks to zero. Death is the master of ceremonies as age and disease take our veteran brothers and sisters one by one to what this old GI hopes are better pastures in the afterlife. Until then, dedicated veteran and civilian volunteers have been on a mission of compassion and love to take groups of Alaskan veterans of World War II and the Korean War to Washington, D.C., to tour the memorials there. It is a group effort to say thank you in a powerful way.

That is the mission of Last Frontier Honor Flight. It is one of many such honor flight groups that have sprung up across the country in recent years. Why? We are losing this generation of veterans at increasing rates. Soon there will be none left and the world will mourn the loss.

This year is very special to those who served in World War II. This is the 70th anniversary of the end of that terrible conflict. As history shows, the war affected millions all over the planet. Tens of millions died, even more were wounded and would bear those wounds — both seen and unseen — for decades. Victory in Europe Day (May 8) and Victory over Japan Day (Sept. 2) will have special meanings this year, to be sure.

On Tuesday, 13 World War II veterans, 10 veterans of the Korean War and a crew of volunteers took off from Ted Stevens International Airport at 11:15 a.m. By now they are finishing up a five-day, four-night trip to the heart of our nation’s capital, and they don’t put up one dime. That is paid for by contributions to Last Frontier Honor flight by people like you and me. The dedicated volunteers that accompany these proud men and women pay their own way. Ron Travis, a Vietnam-era veteran is the man behind the plan of Last Frontier Honor Flight and provides the quiet leadership for the volunteers driven to fulfill the mission.

This fourth flight by the Last Frontier Honor Flight brings the number of veterans who have gone on an Honor Flight trip to an even 100. And since this is a very special year for many of these aged-yet-proud veterans, Travis would like to see as many people as possible at the airport in support when they return Saturday, April 25.

It will be quite the shindig, according to Travis. An orchestra will be there along with Colony High School’s Jr. ROTC honor guard. There will also be a bagpipe band on hand. All of this kicks off at 12:33 p.m., tomorrow. I encourage everyone reading this to attend and give these men and women an enthusiastic and well-deserved welcome home. Without their service we would not be here today. Freedom is not free and these veterans helped pay the price fighting tyranny with their blood in service to us all. That is something we must never forget.

If you know of a World War II veteran, Alaska Territorial Guard member of the era, or a Korean War veteran who wants to sign up for an upcoming flight, contact Last Frontier Honor Flight at thelastfrontierhonorflight.com, or simply call at 892-6097.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.