Mission accomplished: World War II veterans not forgotten here

Nearly 70 years after the end of World War II, some Alaska veterans are still working to complete one last mission — visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Helping local veterans accomplish that mission is the Last Frontier Honor Flight, a nonprofit affiliate of the national Honor Flight movement. At a time when age, health or finances — or all together — keeps many World War II veterans from visiting their memorial at least once, Last Frontier Honor Flight has stepped up to offer this profound gift and recognition to a generation that truly changed the world for the better.

That’s why we were pleased to see the first all-Alaska group make the trip last October. But those 25 local vets were just the beginning, and thanks to Alaska Airlines, at least 50 more are set to check this last task off their bucket lists. On the heels of last year’s successful trip, the airlines has donated 50 vouchers for free travel for a group of World War II veterans to make the trip in May. Chaperones accompanying the veterans will be given a 15 percent discount, and another eight tickets have been donated for the local Honor Flight group to use in its fundraising efforts.

It costs about $70,000 to take a group of veterans on an Honor Flight, and with benefactors like Alaska Airlines and Geneva Woods Pharmacy, which donates wheelchairs and traveling medical supplies, the group can offer not only transportation to the memorial, but make it a memorable trip as well, said Ron Travis, Last Frontier Honor Flight founder.

Whereas the first trip was made on a shoestring budget, trips planned this year in May and October promise to be something special. Good meals for the veterans and nice Honor Flight jackets to commemorate the trip are planned, along with visiting other landmarks in Washington, D.C.

When a hotel where the group will stay overnight en route to Washington, D.C., found out it was an Honor Flight group, The Shiloh Inn in Portland, Ore., donated all the cost of the rooms and meals for the veterans.

At a time in their lives when many World War II veterans — along with those who served in Korea and Vietnam — feel like they’ve been relegated to a chapter in a history book, it’s important that we who inherited this birthright of freedom from the “Greatest Generation” show our appreciation while we still can.

A trip to the memorial honoring their service and sacrifice is the least we can do to express our gratitude. We urge all to support the Honor Flight organization and its dedication to our veterans. We’re confident that with our community’s support, the Valley’s remaining World War II veterans will be able to once again say, “mission accomplished.”

Learn more about the Last Frontier Honor or donate at tlfhonorflight.org. Checks also can also be made out and mailed to Last Frontier Honor Flight, P.O. Box 520116, Big Lake, AK 99652.