6-year-old sells lemonade to fund Honor Flight

Someone from the Wiregrass who fought in World War II — maybe a veteran of the Battle of Midway or the Bataan Death March or the D-Day Invasion — will be flown at no cost to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial this month in part because a little girl sold lemonade Thursday.

Six-year-old Mackenzie Leger of Enterprise set up a stand outside her family’s home Thursday, selling lemonade and cookies to passers-by.

“And coffee too,” she pointed out.

She came to Dothan’s 9/11 ceremony Friday with the $85 she raised and presented it to the Wiregrass Honor Flight, a local organization created to fly local World War II veterans to see their memorial. The next Honor Flight is scheduled for Sept. 26.

“We always talk about things like this and she just decided one day she wanted to do this,” said Barbara Leger, Mackenzie’s mother. “She’s a very generous child and is always wanting to do things to help other people.”

Two years ago, Barbara Leger said 4-year-old Mackenzie sold lemonade and donated the proceeds to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.

Bob Bunting, chairman of the Wiregrass Honor Flight, said he has been moved by the overwhelming response of the public to fund the flights. It cost about $65,000 to charter each flight. The September flight is the second Wiregrass Honor Flight and another is tentatively scheduled for April.

“Some may say that America does not remember,” Bunting said. “But I am here to tell you, America does remember.”

Bunting and Jim McGhee, director of communications for Wiregrass Honor Flight, were on hand to receive the donation. The local chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders also donated $2,000 to Wiregrass Honor Flight Friday.

For more information on how to apply or donate funds for the Wiregrass Honor Flight:
Dothan: 791-5749
Enterprise: 447-9179
Ozark: 774-0961
Eufaula: 695-1580
http://www.wiregrasshonorflight.org
http://www.honorflight.org