There are still thousands of WWII Veterans in the Central Valley.
And now private donors are chipping in, to get them to Washington D.C. to honor their service.
Lemor Abrams reports from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Madera.
Thursday night dinners have become a tradition at the VFW Hall in Madera.
But on this night, there was more than a hot meal and jam-packed tables.
There were veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, and World War II...now helping each other out, on a more personal level.
"Recognition a long time after...but good," said WWII Veteran Ralph Flores.
They're teaming up with local non-profits to raise money.
$10 a plate, $20 to bid on an engraved pistol...
A mission to get local WWII Vets back to their red white and blue roots in Washington D.C.
"This will be a couple of decade long process to thank these people for what they did," said Ren Hallett of the Madera Rotary Club.
A grand thank you with a free three day trip to D.C., to see the monument and remember the fallen.
As 69 service men did back in October for the inaugural flight.
"Yah it's a tear jerking story, it's not a fun...like you think...a vacation," said WII Veteran J.B. Overstreet.
One day the rotary club wants to see all veterans go....like Alan Hanscen who served in Vietnam and now uses his Irish roots to whip up corned beef and cabbage for his pals, and donors.
"One day I would like to go there and probably will," said Hanscen.
The next flights go out in April and May and both of those are already full.
DONATING
For information on donating to the honor flight program, visit http://www.cvhonorflight.org/
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Central Valley Honor Flight Fundraiser
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