Retired Sandy Creek High assistant principal Dan Lorton returned to his stomping grounds to address students about a project very close to his heart.
Lorton is involved with Honor Flight Fayette, Inc., a nonprofit organization created to honor World War II veterans. The organization flies veterans, at no cost, to see their memorial in Washington, D.C. Fayette's Honor Flight is planned for May 14.
Lorton will serve as a guardian on the trip, helping veterans with their individual needs and ensuring that they have a safe and memorable trip. He returned to Sandy Creek to inform the Air Force Junior ROTC cadets about the program and to challenge them to get involved.
"I am a Vietnam vet. I was fortunate enough to have Delta fly me to the Vietnam memorial. I know how important this is to these guys," Lorton told students.
He challenged the ROTC classes to a friendly competition to raise money to cover the costs of flying the veterans to Washington. It takes $400 to cover the costs for one veteran, which includes airfare, meals and transportation.
Lorton also encouraged students to get up early on May 14 to provide a 6:45 a.m. color guard to honor the WWII veterans as they depart for the airport as well as being there to welcome them back for their return later that evening.
"These veterans are an important part of our history. They were about your age when they went off to fight for the freedoms you enjoy today," Lorton said nearing the end of his presentation. "We are losing 1,200 WWII veterans a day. We need to do all we can to get them to their memorial."
More information about Honor Flight Fayette can be found at www.honorflightfayette.com.
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