World War II – Veterans of Renown
Here in the 21st century, long after the profound devastation of that global conflict of the 1940’s, we are privileged to be able to recognize those men and women who proudly served their country in a time of great need. They left the comfort of their homes and jobs to help the United States and its Allies defend the ideals and rights of democracy and freedom by risking their lives under incredible circumstances far from their families and loved ones.
Those freedoms and our way of life today are testimony to the success that the patriotic strength and drive of those brave souls accomplished in their united effort against the aggression that threatened us in those times.
The ranks of those veterans still living yet today are dwindling rapidly as advancing time continues to make its inevitable claims but, thanks to the efforts of many organizations and individuals we are able to continue to pay tribute to these heroes of freedom in a variety of ways.
One of those ways is called “Honor Flights” and they are organized events that involve hosted flights to Washington D.C. that take our veterans on a one day tour of the Capitol’s historic monuments and sites. These trips are a regular happening from various points of departure and they are open to all veterans regardless of the conflict involved but, with a very special consideration for those who experienced the gruesome carnage of that long ago world war.
The General Federation Women’s Club (GFWC) is sponsoring a presentation by one of these Veterans of Renown who participated in one of the Honor Flights last year. Mr. Leach, a 91 year old World War II Veteran, made that Honor Flight Trip to Washington and will be talking about the experience as well as sharing some of his memories of the war itself.
The presentation is open to the public and will be held at Fairview Haven Nursing Home at 605 North Fourth Street in Fairbury at 7:00pm on Thursday, July 3rd. If you are attending please use the north door and take the elevator to the basement and you’ll have a ringside seat. If you’d like to meet a real hero then here’s your chance, shake his hand, pat him on the back and tell him thanks – he sure deserves it!