Remember the posters – Uncle Sam Needs You? The Uncle Sam figure was used in WWI and WWII to recruit men to join the army at the nearest recruiting station. Sixteen million answered the call in WWII and 400-thousand died.

When the war ended in 1945, the men and women who served returned home and continued to build the most prosperous, free nation the world has ever known. They didn’t stop to reflect on their heroic accomplishments. It would be years later – many years later – before others did that for them.

Since WWII, Americans have fought and died in several wars, and memorials have been built to honor them – but the memorial to honor the heroes of WWII was not built until 2004 - nearly 60 years after the end of the war – and the majority of those who fought and survived – my own father included - had already died of natural causes before the memorial was finished.

Those who remain are in their 80s or 90s, and dying at the rate of about 1,500 a day. They can’t make the trip alone. Many more will die without visiting the Memorial built for them.

Many – but not all, because now there is the Honor Flight network.

Honor Flight was started in 2005 by one man, and has grown into a nationwide network of grateful men and women who combine their resources and their gratitude to take groups of WWII veterans – about 100 at a time – AT NO COST TO THE VETERAN - from all parts of the U.S. – to Washington DC -- to visit the memorial – and other points of interest – and return home the same day.

The veterans who have made the trip have described it as one of the most wonderful days of their lives.

Each trip costs about 60-thousand dollars. The money pays for the flight, for the tour buses and drivers who take the veterans, their guardians and medical assistants, from the airport to the memorial and other places - and back again. It also pays for food and other incidentals needed on the trip.

The more money we can raise, the more flights they can take, and the more WWII veterans can make the trip before it’s too late. Time is running out for many of them, so time is running out for us to help.

I didn’t learn about Honor Flight until a few short weeks ago when – as President of the Rotary Club of Donelson-Hermitage – I was contacted by another Rotarian with a request that I allow Gary Drennon, vice chairman of Music City Honor Flight, to visit and speak to my club.

I did a little research on Honor Flight at HonorFlight.org, and eagerly cleared the way for Gary to come and speak. After his speech, we passed our Rotary Club collection bowl, and collected a little more than $500 from the 20 or so members and guests present that day. I pulled $100 from my pocket that I had planned to spend on three or four rounds of golf, and put it in the collection bowl. It was the best money I ever spent. I plan to spend much more. I consider it not an obligation, but a privilege and honor, to donate to Honor Flight, and I will continue to do so until all of their work is done.

My Rotary Club has one WWII member – Jim Belcher – who is retiring from his business and from Rotary this year. We have made him a permanent honorary member and we are making an additional $600 donation in his name– approximately the amount needed to fund the trip for one WWII veteran.

Now – I ask you to join me. To make a donation, log on to www.musiccityhf.org.  Under the headline, “Help Send A Veteran To Washington,” you will see both an address to send a check and an online donation link using Google Checkout. If you use Google Checkout, we can see your donation today and keep track of how we’re doing throughout Honor Flight Appreciation Day.

I can think of no better way to honor my father, and all of the men and women of the WWII generation, than to help Honor Flight give as many of them as possible, a free trip and a memory that will pierce their hearts with the gratitude of a truly grateful nation.

Honor Flight needs you. Please, give to Honor Flight today.