D.C. trip will honor World War II vets
By BRANDON WORF
Soon, some area World War II veterans and students will have their day in the sun.
The Washington-based Honor Flight organization is slated to fly 100 veterans from the Hays and Plainville areas to the Mall in Washington on Sept. 10 to see the acclaimed memorial that helps symbolize the "Greatest Generation."
And it won't cost the vets a dime.
"We're really, really excited for this," Pat Hageman said. A Rooks County commissioner and full-time farmer, Hageman has been organizing the event since early April.
"At first, things were a little slow with response, and then around May, things took off," Hageman said.
Referring to an article previously published by The Hays Daily News, Hageman pointed out that the exposure gave the boost needed to get the seats filled.
"After that came out, my phone rang off the hook for a week," he said. "I don't think I've ever talked on the phone that much at one time."
The trip filled up within two weeks, and a waiting list was set up for those who didn't get on in time. Hageman was excited about the interest level, but disappointed not every one can go.
"You know, that kills me a little bit," he said. "I wish I could take those extra 15 or 20 guys along, because they all deserve to go in the end. I just don't have the room."
Those who do go, will simply have to show up, and not worry about anything.
"Honor Flight will be providing us with everything necessary to get this taken care of," Hageman said. "They'll have a doctor and three nurses on staff to assist with medical needs, and the students are there to help them out the rest of the time."
Hageman said many of the vets have asked several questions about what they may need to bring or what they might have to do to help with the trip.
"Absolutely nothing," he said. "The only things they may want to bring are their cameras and any medications they have, or any other necessities, but aside from that, we'll have everything taken care of. They're even providing us with walkers, wheelchairs, canes, oxygen, everything we'll need, so we're covered on that end."
The veterans will take buses from Hays and Plainville to Salina, where a private charter plane will be waiting.
"As soon as we get to the Salina airport, we'll let them stretch, and then we'll board the 737 that we've booked for this," Hageman said. "At that point, we'll fly directly to Washington, D.C., and board buses for the Mall, where we'll meet Jerry Moran and Bob Dole for lunch, before heading to the memorial."
The plan was finalized a few weeks ago, after a sponsor kicked in the remaining $20,000 to finish out the $100,000 bill for the event.
"Midland Marketing gave us the remaining amount to help us out," Hageman said. "They've been really generous to us this whole time, and I can't thank them enough. This should prove to be en experience of a lifetime."