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Eleventh
Veterans Trip to Washington, DC Announced
Sidney, OH – February 15, 2015 – Shelby County (OH) Veterans to
Washington, DC Committee co-chairs Jody Prater and Mike Bennett have
announced that this group of volunteers is now accepting applications
for their eleventh trip to Washington, DC of Shelby County WWII, Korean
War and Vietnam War Veterans who haven’t yet visited their
memorials. This year’s trip dates are September 18-20.
Accompanying the Veterans will be their caregivers and committee
volunteers. Like the organization’s previous ten trips beginning
in 2009, the trip is free for Veterans. Veterans with ties to
Shelby County will have first priority. Veterans from outside
Shelby County will be considered as space is available.
The committee’s record of service to area WWII, Korean War and Vietnam
War Veterans is impressive. Over ten previous trips, the
committee has taken 370 Veterans to Washington accompanied by 283
family caregivers who assist their loved ones and 235 committee
volunteers that handle travel logistics.
The first and third day of the trip itinerary will be motor coach
travel between Sidney and Washington, DC. The second day in Washington
begins after breakfast with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns.
There the Shelby County group will lay a wreath at the tomb with the
assistance of 3rd Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" guards.
Following the ceremony will be a caravan tour of Arlington National
Cemetery. Next up will be visits to the United States Air Force
Memorial, the Marine Corp War Memorial (also known as the Iwo Jim
Memorial) and lunch. After lunch will be visits to the World War
II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Viet Nam Veterans
Memorial. And new this year will be a stop at the American
Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial that was dedicated by President
Obama last October 5. Following dinner all Veterans and
guests will return to their hotel for fellowship and a good night’s
rest. Besides motor coach travel, trip details include all meals,
lodging and regular rest breaks. Medical providers and volunteers
will assist Veterans with their special needs.
Committee members have already begun raising funds for the September
18-20 trip through private and corporate donations to cover all
expenses for the Veterans. Caregivers and volunteers will be
required to pay $250 to cover their expenses.
Jody Prater adds that there are two special forms of donations to
sponsor a Veteran; the “Memorial Donation” and the “Sponsorship
Donation.” Both are tax deductible. The Memorial Donation is for
an individual or group (church, family, school, service club, etc.)
making a $355 donation in memory of a deceased Veteran(s) or loved
one(s). And a $355 “Sponsorship Donation” is an excellent way for
an individual or group to sponsor an attending Veteran they know or one
they wish to sponsor. For both Memorial and Sponsorship
Donations, information will be exchanged between paired sponsor and
Veteran except where anonymity is requested.
Veteran, caregiver and volunteer applications for the September 18-20
trip can be picked up in Sidney at the American Legion Post 217, VFW
Post 4239, AMVETS Post 1896 or the Shelby County Veterans Service
Office inside the Monument Building in downtown Sidney.
Applications can also be picked up in Ft. Loramie at the American
Legion Post 355. Applications can also be downloaded from the
committee’s website www.shelbycountyvetstodc.blogspot.com. To find out
more about Memorial and Sponsorship Donations or for more information
about this very worthwhile project, contact either Jody Prater at
937-638-8670 or by e-mail at prater1966@centurylink.net or Mike Bennett
at 419-628-0012 or by email at mbenn391@watchtv.net. See the
committee’s website for information about the group’s previous ten
trips and activities. All application forms and tax deductible
donations should be mailed to Veterans to Washington, DC, PO Box 408,
Anna, OH 45302. All applications for the September 18-20
trip must be received by July 31.
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