Veteran guests and their traveling companions with Logan County Vets to D.C. board one of three charter buses Friday morning, Sept. 22, at the Logan County Fairgrounds, bound for Washington, D.C. The non-profit organization is taking 70 veterans guests on the group’s seventh and final trek this weekend. The entourage arrives back at the fairgrounds around 5 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, where community members are invited to stop by to welcome the honored guests back home. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Strong showing for community heroes
Numerous community members descended upon downtown Bellefontaine Friday morning, Sept. 22, to wave flags and offer a heartfelt send-off for the 2023 Logan County Vets to D.C. travelers as the three charter buses passed through along Main Street, along with a first responder and motorcycle escort to U.S. Route 33. Among the veteran ranks on the trip are six Korean War veterans and more than 60 Vietnam War era veterans. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Salute for the send-off
First responders offer a special salute in honor of the Logan County Vets to D.C. travelers Friday morning, Sept. 22, by one of two Bellefontaine Fire Department ladder trucks hoisting a large flag. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Patriotic tunes
The Benjamin Logan High School marching band plays festive and patriotic tunes as veterans, their traveling companions and volunteers board the buses for the 2023 Logan County Vets to D.C. trip. Riverside High School students also were on site early Friday morning, Sept. 22, to help with a number of set-up items at the Logan County Fairgrounds for the send-off, along with Benjamin Logan High School football players, who assisted with loading luggage and other tasks. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Leading the way to D.C.
A U.S. Army troop carrier that was in Operation Desert Storm leads the way as the Logan County Vets to D.C. heads out of town from the Logan County Fairgrounds Friday morning, Sept. 22. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)