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Each year Honor Flight Arizona conducts trips for World War II and Korean Conflict veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.
Three Sun City West veterans were among the most recent group.
Ed Van Cott, Sun City West resident, served in the Army 1953-55, teaching Nike missile guidance electronics repair.
Each veteran is assigned a guardian for the trip. Due to their age, many of the veterans require special assistance with mobility and other issues as they visit the memorials and the guardians offer that assistance. Mr. Van Cott’s guardian was Dave Robbins, a close friend and retired U.S. Marine who served in the Gulf War.
The trip is entirely free for the veterans, and the guardians pay a reduced cost.
While in Washington the group visited memorials commemorating the Air Force, Iwo Jima, Women in the military, Navy, World War II, Vietnam, Korea and the Seabees. The group also observed the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery and had many photo opportunities, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Capital dome.
Gene Bogatko and Alfred Guy, Sun City West residents, were also on this trip.
Honor Flight Arizona is part of a national organization that provides the trips for veterans and relies on donations.
Vietnam era vets are now eligible for the trips.
Veterans wanting to go on a flight should register at the organization’s website.
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