Everyone can help with Honor Flights

I write this letter to offer public thanks to the volunteers and donors who make Honor Flight Chicago possible.

Thanks to their efforts, my 87-year-old dad, Achille Marchiori, recently joined 80 other World War II veterans on a day trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the significant memorials that honor our nation's veterans.

At the day's end, family, friends, volunteers and total strangers gathered at Midway Airport to give each of these men and women a hero's welcome - the welcome home that most of them never before received, complete with honor guard, songs, handshakes, hugs and kisses.

The current average age of our World War II veterans is 87. Time is running out on Honor Flight Chicago's mission to bring as many of them as possible to our nation's capital for this day of honor. They can accomplish the mission only as funds are available. Anyone can help by donating, volunteering, meeting the Southwest Airlines flights or writing letters of thanks to veterans. School groups, other service groups, as well as individuals, will find this a rewarding and meaningful way to get involved.

The press and media can help get the word out to veterans who have not yet heard of this opportunity. World War II veterans may apply for a future flight. The next flight is scheduled for Sept. 15. Information is available at the website, honorflightchicago.org.

Diane Dassow

Lombard