They proudly displayed the Stars and Stripes as they fought in North Africa, Europe, the Far East, and the Pacific Islands. They were the backbone of the Allied Forces that slowed and then turned back the imperialistic armies of Germany, Italy, and Japan during the most devastating war ever fought on Planet Earth.
       Now they are dying at a rate of more than 1,000 per day, and by 2020 few if any World War II Veterans will be alive. A group of surviving vets from southeast Georgia, including nine from Statesboro, and South Carolina will fly to Washington, D.C., Saturday to see the World War II monument erected on the Washington Mall to honor their service and sacrifice. The trip is sponsored by Honor Flight-Savannah.
      Honor Flight-Savannah is part of the nationwide Honor Flight volunteer organization which has transported thousands of veterans along with guardians and other volunteers to Washington from all over the United States. The trip from Savannah is accomplished in one day. Memorials that will be visited include the WW II Memorial, the USAF memorial, the USMC Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Korean and Vietnam Memorials and the USN Memorial.
      Some veterans will be able to walk; many will be pushed along in wheel chairs as they move around and through the huge oval monument consisting of two arches 43 feet high symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres and the fifty-six pillars which represent individual states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
       For many veterans, it will be their first and last opportunity to witness a grateful nation's efforts to memorialize the sacrifices of the 16 million men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces in World War II. For most, it will be an emotional experience as they remember their comrades who did not return, but it will also include moments of pride as they remember their part in the military effort to defeat the forces of Nazi Germany and Japan.
      Bringing veterans to the World War II Monument and the other war monuments on the mall is what motivates the men and women who make up the Board of Directors and Guardians of Honor Flight-Savannah.
      Recently the small group of individuals from rural southeast Georgia counties, Savannah, and southeastern South Carolina met at Beef O'Brady's in Richmond Hill to complete the details for Honor Flights to Washington on Saturday and Oct. 23. Approximately 24 veterans will make each trip along with guardians who push wheel chairs and otherwise look after the aging heroes. It is an all expense paid trip for the veterans; however, guardians must pay their own expenses including airfare, and they must complete a short training session to qualify.
       Although emphasis is placed on WW II veterans, Korean and Vietnam veterans also qualify for the trip. Korean War veterans are rapidly passing on, and the Vietnam veteran mortality rate is increasing.
       Although flights on Saturday and Oct. 23 are full, Honor Flight-Savannah is accepting applications from veterans in southeast Georgia and the low country of South Carolina to make the trip to Washington during the spring of 2011. The organization is in need of guardians who can make the trip and donations to help sponsor veterans.
      The trip costs approximately $300.00 per veteran. However, donations in any amount are gladly accepted. To make a donation, send checks to Honor Flight-Savannah, Inc. P.O. Box 60176 Savannah, Ga. 31420. For more information or to recommend a veteran for the honor flight to Washington, contact honorflightsavannahinc@gmail.com .

Ronald E. McCall is a Vietnam veteran and writes for The Tattnall Journal in Reidsville, Ga.