The 2020 Logan County Veterans to D.C. trip was among the many activities to be canceled or postponed last year amid health concerns, but organizer Scott Stewart reports that the organization now is busily preparing for a 2021 trek to the nation’s capital, which will take place this fall.
“We have had so many people asking what the status of our trip is, or if we are still making the trips. We are most definitely planning for this year’s trip, and we likely will have several additional trips coming up after this one,” he said.
With the help of community donations and volunteer support, the organization provides veterans of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War with an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials for the first time.
Volunteers are currently contacting veterans who were on the 2020 trip list to determine whether they can attend the fifth annual 2021 venture, slated for the weekend of Sept. 24 through 26.
Once all of the 2020 trip participants have been accounted for, Stewart said the group may be able to add additional veterans to the 2021 trip from their waiting list.
Interested veterans should contact Stewart at (937) 407-6766 for an application so that they can be added to the waiting list.
“For some of our veterans, the time to go might be right now,” he said. “There aren’t many of our World War II veterans left, and our Korean War veterans are now in their 80s or early 90s. We’ve lost some of our Vietnam War veteran friends here recently as well.”
As in previous years, this year’s trip includes a special send-off for the honorees on Friday morning, Sept. 24, from the Logan County Fairgrounds, where community members are invited to gather.
“All of the people lining the streets and waving flags — that’s a huge deal to our veterans; it can be a tear-jerker for them,” Stewart said. “The support we’ve received from our community and even people from other counties is really amazing. We’ll have people lining interstates as well with flags while we pass by.”
Aboard the charter bus while making their way to Washington, D.C., a camaraderie develops among the trip participants as well during their shared time.
“Some have seen combat and others have not, but they’ve all got this bond because of what they’ve been through and the sacrifices they’ve made. We see instant friendships develop, and I’ve been so privileged to say many of the veterans have become my fast friends as well,” Stewart said.
The group returns Sunday, Sept. 26, back to the Logan County Fairgrounds after their adventurous weekend.
In addition to trip participants, volunteers are sought to help in various capacities during the months and days leading up to the trip.
Veterans to D.C. “is a community project. We want people to feel included. Whether you hold up a flag while the group departs, or help to sell raffle tickets, you’re a valuable volunteer to make this happen,” Stewart said, inviting local residents and organizations to call him for volunteer ideas.
Fundraisers also are approaching that help to make Logan County Veterans to D.C. possible for local veterans.
A quilt raffle will be taking place throughout the summer, with the final drawing slated to take place Saturday, Aug. 21. Tickets are available from volunteers or during upcoming community events, including from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 13, at the Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek’s Independence Day celebration; or in downtown West Liberty June 25 and July 23.
Additionally, a Veterans to D.C. golf scramble is planned for Saturday, July 31, at Liberty Hills Golf Course, for four-person teams, with start times between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Register online at www.playlibertyhills.com under the “event registration” tab.
For additional details on the trip, visit www.vetstodc.org.