Burke Sunrise Rotary - World War II Memorial

Based upon a volunteer efforts in Henderson and Buncombe counties that transported 731 World WarII veterans to Washington D.C. to view the WWII Veterans Memorial, Rotarians are dedicated to providing the opportunity to every area veteran of WWII to fly to Washington D.C. and visit their memorial for free. The vets are transported by chartered U.S. Air 737 to Reagan National Airport and are accompanied by “Guardians” consisting of members Rotary Club who are responsible for the care and comfort of the veterans throughout the project. In addition, a physician and Emergency Medical Technicians accompany the group.

After visiting the WWII Memorial, the veterans enjoy a catered lunch adjacent to the Memorial and are then transported to the western end of the reflecting pool to tour the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. The group then relocates by tour bus to the Iwo Jima Memorial and finally to the Arlington National Cemetery where, by special permission, the group drives directly to the site of the Changing of the Guard at the Tom of the Unknown Soldier. Following the Changing of the Guard ceremony, the participants re-board the buses to return to the Reagan Airport for the flight home.

In order to enable WWII veterans from Western North Carolina (outside of Buncombe and Henderson Counties) to participate in an Honor Air flight, District Governor David Sink has appointed a District Honor Air Committee. The purpose of this committee is twofold: first, to assist and advise any club in the District (or multiple clubs working together) who want to adopt Honor Air as a community service project. Second, if Rotary Clubs in District 7670 will sponsor one or more WWII veterans at $500 each and if there are 100 or more sponsored veterans from the District, then a District Honor Air flight will be arranged. For each three veterans that a club sponsors, for an additional $200 that club can send a Guardian on the flight to look after “their” veterans.

Burke Sunrise will sponsor three veterans for the November 1, 2008 flight.

To help continue this program, a tax deductible donation may be made to:

Burke Sunrise, Inc.
PO Box 2936
Morganton, NC 28680

Contact: President Eleanor Summers (828) 439-4466.

We thank you for contributing to our community service project and making a difference in a veteran's life.