Honor flights seeking more people for September trips

The last two honor flights this year to Washington, D.C., war monuments for World War II veterans are scheduled for September, and the organizers are looking for additional people to go.

Albert "Bert" Baldasso, 92, of Des Plaines, was one of the people who flew on last week's honor flight.

"Unbelievable! All those people and the band and everything," he said of the hoopla surrounding the trip. "Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts … I shook hands with so many people that my hand was starting to hurt.

"It was great to see that many guys … we looked pretty good. And you know I haven't walked that much in a long time but I could do it. I felt young again!"

Anyone who knows a World War II veteran living in the Chicago area, or able to travel to Chicago to board an honor flight, is encouraged to visit honorflightchicago.org, or call (773) 227-VETS (8387) for additional information and an application. The deadline to apply is the first week in September.