Band of brothers

— Their numbers shrink every day. Like those of any generation not still in grade school. But the generation they call The Greatest won’t be around forever. There’s still time, happily, to acknowledge what they’ve done. Specifically what they did in the early and mid 1940s. Overseas. Under fire. Against two of the more relentless and dreaded war machines the world has ever known.

Some of these American fighters have never seen the monument to them in Washington, D.C. Which is why these Honor Flights are so commendable. Those who fought battles for the United States-and survived-should get the opportunity to see the nation’s monument to their service. They deserve that much and more.

Last week, almost 90 veterans from Arkansas (and some of their family members) visited the nation’s capital to see the World War II Monument and other sites. There’s an outfit called the Honor Flight Network that started carrying vets from around the nation to Washington about half-a-dozen years ago. It’s caught on. The first such trip from Arkansas came back in 2009. (Thanks to money from Tyson Foods and Wal-Mart.) Last week was the fourth trip from The Natural State. (Thanks to money from Tyson Foods and Wal-Mart. Are we repeating ourselves?) There’s another trip planned for the spring.

What a worthy cause. Kudos to the person(s) who came up with the idea. This is one of those stories that warms the heart. And thanks to the Usual Suspects who help fund these kinds of projects. We think we’ve mentioned them twice now.

And as far as the men and women who served during the Second World War, if you haven’t heard it in a while, let us say it again:

Thank you.

Editorial, Pages 18 on 10/29/2011

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