Clarksburg Honor Flight in final stages but still needs volunteers

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — After two years, the Clarksburg Honor Flight is finally set to fly 100 veterans and dozens of their guardians to Washington, DC next month.

With thousands of dollars raised, those who served in wars such as World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as terminally ill veterans, will get a free flight and trip to visit the monuments raised in honor of their service at the nation’s capital on Sept. 14.

Organizers are nearing the end of preparations for this year’s flight, and want to invite the public to join in on the “Welcome Home” efforts when veterans come back from D.C. the same night they leave. The flight is scheduled to arrive no later than 8:30 p,m., and people are encouraged to bring banners, signs and anything else they can think of that will help welcome the veterans home at the North Central West Virginia airport.

“Especially our Vietnam veterans, they never got a welcome home, they were spit on and called names when they came back, but this is, again, our American heroes coming back, this is a flight of a lifetime for some of them. They’ve never been on a plane. They’re going to Washington D.C. to see the monuments and memorials that was built in their honor,” Clarksburg Honor Flight Coordinator Billie Jo Claypool said.

Despite the plans finally moving forward for the flight, organizers said that volunteers are still needed to help fill snack bags and continue preparations for the flight next month. Volunteers with the flight meet every Tuesday at the Clarksburg VFW from 2-6 p.m.

Fundraising efforts have also already begun for next year’s flight, as well as any additional cost that this year’s may have. To make a contribution, you can send a donation to the following address:

Honor Flight

430 West Pike St.

Clarksburg, WV 26301

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