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Honor flight program to receive $5,000 from Enterprise City Council

By Michelle Mann
Published: February 05, 2009

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The planned flight to transport Wiregrass World War II veterans to see the monument built in their honor in Washington, D.C., got a $5,000 boost Tuesday evening.

The Enterprise City Council voted unanimously to make the donation for the special flight which is set for May 9.

Two weeks ago, retired Col. Mike Abbott asked the council to financially support the flight, which is expected to cost some $65,000. The plan, according to Abbott, is to fly the 100 Wiregrass area veterans and the 40 accompanying guardians to Washington, D.C., and return the same day.

Abbott said the flight to see the national war memorials, in general, and the WWII Memorial, in particular, will be at no charge to the participating veterans and the guardians will pay their own way.

Applications for the flight are currently being accepted in Enterprise at city hall, Medical Center Enterprise, Townsend Building Supply, Curves at West Gate Center and the Chamber of Commerce.

“This will be an incredible experience for not only the veterans but the guides who will have the experience of escorting these great Americans,” Enterprise Chamber of Commerce President Phil Thomas said following Tuesday’s vote. With World War II veterans dying nationwide at a rate of about 1,000 a day, “the city’s donation and support are for a very worthwhile cause.,” he said.