To date, 1,004 Vets/Caregivers/Volunteers have taken this trip with us over the past five years (ten trips) to see these Memorials. If you are a WWII or Korean War or Vietnam/Vietnam Era Vet in Shelby County (Ohio), contact us to see how you too can join us on the "Honor Bus."
One of the really nice things that is done for the Vets that we take on our trips to Washington is the cane that they get prior to leaving. Each year, the Miami Valley Wood Carvers Association has carved canes for the guys so they will have them if needed when they go to DC. They really do a nice job and the Vets really like them. These two pictures are from the May 2010 trip.
Ray (in the far lest in this picture) is one of our guys works with the woodcarvers and takes charge of that aspect. The guys really get a kick out of picking out their own cane. Some of them even personalize theirs. One of the guys from this past trip in September took one of his dog tags and fastened it to the cane. That looked pretty cool and just gave it a personal touch.
When we were done passing them out, we told them to hold the cane up for just a moment. We told them we were taking them to DC and we expected them "to raise a little cane while there." We always get a laugh out of that.
This picture (below) was taken at the WWII Memorial following our ceremony honoring those who fell in battle during the Second World War.
This picture (below) was taken at the Korean War Veterans Memorial following our ceremony there earlier that afternoon.
We had 38 Vets on this trip; 2 from WWII and 36 from the Korean War. Most of them were strangers before going on this trip, maybe knowing one or two of the other guys. What a blessing it was to have them be our guests for this trip.
Our next trip is scheduled for May 20-22, 2011. If you would like some information or would like to make a contribution, please send an email to our committee at mbenn391@gmail.com.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. (Burke)
