NE Iowa WWII Honor Tour seeks interested veterans for bus trip

Calling all World War II veterans, their families, and supporting veterans organizations. A grassroots effort is underway to plan a five-day bus trip for WWII veterans to visit Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Memorial. Those scenes that have been on television are true; visitors to the Memorial line the sidewalks and applaud the veterans as they arrive. This Northeast Iowa WWII Honor Tour will be free of charge to interested WWII veterans. The first step is to find if there are WWII veterans from Northeast Iowa who are interested in such an opportunity.
The Northeast Iowa WWII Honor Tour is modeled after a similar trip from Iowa County (Williamsburg) in October 2008. Kathy Hawkins and Mary Jo Hangartner, retired northeast Iowa teachers, volunteered as tour guides for that bus trip, which included 17 WWII veterans. Such a bus trip allowed the veterans and their accompanying family members and volunteers to see the WWII Memorial both during the daytime and at night. They also visited the other war memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, and even participated in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Many veterans noted that advantages of this longer bus tour were that all were able to bring a companion (if they chose) and that there were ample accommodations for wheelchairs and oxygen tanks.  The most gratifying aspect was the time available for all travelers to share experiences while on the road, and over meals, and even during frequent rest stops.

The Northeast Iowa WWII Honor Tour is being planned for September 20-24, 2010, and includes overnight stops in Ohio, Virginia and Indiana.  Sponsorships and fund-raising opportunities will be organized to fund all expenses for the WWII veterans; other interested travelers are welcome to accompany them for the cost of the trip.
Those who are WWII veterans, or family members or friends of a WWII veteran, and would like to participate in or assist with the Northeast Iowa WWII Honor Tour, contact Kathy Hawkins, 563-382-2162, Mary Jo Hangartner, 563-382-8108, or Pat Downs, 563-382-8341.