Veterans United through Honor Flight

“All veterans should be able to go to Washington.” The importance of veterans visiting their memorial was stated by 91-year-old World War II veteran, Roman Perrotta, who attended a recent fundraising dinner hosted by Honor Flight. Courtesy of Honor Flight, Perrotta was able to visit the memorials honoring veterans in Washington D.C. Today, many veterans await their chance to visit this memorial; this is one of the many reasons that Honor Flight was born. Honor Flight of the Inland Empire began in 2005, and has been on a mission ever since to send as many of America’s veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifices as possible. The organization’s top priority is to the most senior veterans - survivors of World War II and any veterans with a terminal illness who wish to visit their memorial. “An average of 1,000 World War II vets die each day,” said Jane Balleck, one of many Honor Flight volunteers – also called Guardians – and daughter of World War II veteran Joe Balleck. “The goal is to get as many World War II vets back to see their memorial before they pass away as a thank you for their service.” The Honor Flight program operates on donations from organizations and individuals. One of the ways the program acquires contributions is by hosting fundraising events. The most recent fundraiser was a veterans reunion dinner for World War 2 vets held at the American Legion Hall in Rialto. Vets and their loved ones along with supporters were among the 195 locals in attendance who helped raise over $2,000 to the program. Marva X, Applications and Fundraiser Coordinator for Honor Flight of the Inland Empire, emphasized the importance of achieving their mission. “The goal is to raise as much money as possible to send veterans on this trip. Our goal is to raise $1 million for the year.” X explained the intentions of the organization are to provide veterans with an expense-paid trip – the Honor Flight – to visit their memorial with the contributions donated by veterans, non-veterans, organizations, and people who want to support the mission. Past Honor Flight travelers, who were provided with a trip to D.C. through the program, showed up for the reunion dinner to express their humble thanks for what the organization has done and continues to do with the contributions they receive. Corporal Walter Jourdan, an 89-year-old World War II veteran and member of the VFW – Veteran of Foreign War, an organization for United States war veterans – is a great supporter of the program. “I fully support this program. I think it’s wonderful. I will never forget the trip,” he expressed. “It’s a terrific program.” Roman Perrotta, veteran of the big war and Yucca Valley resident, likes the fact of the contributions being tax deductible. “The amazing thing is that it wasn’t done with tax payer’s money. It was all donated.” Interested veterans are encouraged to apply to go on the free trip to D.C. “These gentlemen have been waiting 2-3 years for their phone call to let them know their application has finally been processed, and sometimes they believe it, sometimes they don’t,” said X. The Honor Flight of the Inland Empire is determined to send as many veterans as possible to see their memorial as long as funding and volunteers are available. For more information regarding the Honor Flight program and how to find an application to sign up a veteran or volunteer, visit their website at www.honorflightie.org.