Honor Flight requests community’s support in letting veterans know they’re not forgotten
Published 8:48 am Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Mail Call!
Kiwanis Club of Danville is asking for the community’s support in helping make a difference in the lives of veterans. Honor Flight Kentucky is one of 130 or more non-profit charitable chapters located in 42 states, comprised of the Honor Flight Network.
HFK’s mission is to fly World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to Washington, D.C. for a one day, all-expenses paid visit to their memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifices.
For an upcoming flight, planned May 26 and sponsored by an anonymous donor, Kiwanis is asking anyone who’s interested in showing their support submit a letter, drawing or simply write “thank you for your service” on a card for the country’s veterans traveling with HFK. The cards will be hand-delivered during “mail call” to each veteran, letting them know they’re not forgotten and show how much the community appreciates them.
“We had a member with Kiwanis who went on the honor flight last year, and he brought back information about it,” said Kiwanis member Denise Henderson, who is chair of the club’s Mail Call Committee. The club hasn’t organized letters like this to veterans before. The club thought it was a prefect way to let others actively participate in thanking the veterans.
“It’s something that’s near and dear to my heart,” Henderson said. Her husband, Levi Henderson, returned home from deployment in November with the Army National Guard. Also a Kiwanis member, he will be involved May 26 with the next honor flight, on site meeting and greeting those participating.
The letters must be submitted by April 10.
According to HFK, our nation is losing more than 1,500 World War II veterans and more than 500 Korean War veterans each and every day. HFK’s goal is to get as many of these brave heroes from central, eastern and southern Kentucky to see their memorials before they pass away.
More than 250 veterans are on the waiting list for flights next year. The focus on every component is for the safety and comfort of the participants, and we orient each aspect to create a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Key Club at Boyle County High School is also participating the mail call project.
To find out more about HFK, visit honorflightky.org.
For mail pick up or any questions about submitting a letter, call or text Denise Henderson at (859) 583-0065 or Jessica Kendrick at (859) 613-5370. No emails will be accepted.