Ron Bedford once walked from Mobile to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness for the construction of a World War II Memorial.
Now, he and others are planning to walk for 56 consecutive hours to help raise money to send Wiregrass veterans to visit the memorial.
Local veterans’ organizations and others will be participating in the Wiregrass Honor Flight Walk of Honor at Northside Mall beginning Friday, April 10 and ending Sunday, April 12. Participants will seek sponsors for each mile walked in an effort to raise money for the Honor Flight.
“The Wiregrass has always stepped up to support its veterans,” said Bedford, who made his walk to Washington, D.C., in 1999.
Participants will begin walking at 9 a.m. April 10 and will walk continuously until 5 p.m. April 12, with breaks every two hours. Live music is scheduled throughout the event.
The Wiregrass Honor Flight Committee has received applications from at least 180 World War II veterans to fly from Dothan to visit the memorial. Ninety veterans, along with volunteers and guardians, will make up the first Wiregrass Honor Flight in May. A second flight is scheduled for September and it appears a third flight will be necessary. Around $65,000 must be raised for each flight. Veterans fly free.
“For many of the World War II veterans, it brings them to tears that people are trying to do this for them,” said Art Miller, commander of the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.
Wiregrass residents interested in helping the effort can join the walk and gain sponsors, or can sponsor others who are walking. Residents can also donate $50 in the name of a veteran to have a flag placed in the veteran’s name on a rolling memorial that will be displayed at the Honor Walk.
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WHAT: Honor Flight Walk of Honor
WHEN: April 10-12
WHERE: Northside Mall
PURPOSE: To raise money for Wiregrass Honor Flight
FOR MORE INFO: Art Miller, 678-9270; Ron Bedford, 790-9394; local VFW, 793-7312
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