BELLVILLE — The Bellville Lion’s Club and the Country Meadows Care Center teamed up for local veterans again this year. They hosted their third annual benefit spaghetti dinner March 4 to raise donations for the “Honor Flight” program in Northern Ohio.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization providing veterans a chance to visit the memorials in Washington D.C. “to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.” There is no cost for the veterans or their families. The program was begun in Ohio by retired Air Force Captain Earl Morse in 2005.
Honor Flight recipients are provided air and ground transportation to Washington, D.C. Volunteers, who pay their own way, assist with travel preparations and sightseeing at the Capitol’s memorials. World War II and terminally ill veterans receive top priority.
Veterans say they are grateful for the powerful experience. Ken Hayes is an Army veteran, who was stationed in Okinawa and Japan in 1945-46, just after the Japanese surrender. He says he was a transportation coordinator for a small fleet of trucks, but would have been guiding landing craft ashore if the war had not ended when it did.
Hayes stopped in to support Saturday’s Honor Flight benefit.
In 2014, Hayes participated in an Honor Flight visit to Washington, D.C. He reflected on his trip to see the memorials. “It was very nice,” Hayes said, especially seeing the Korean War memorial. He also said he was glad for the attendants who assisted wheel chair bound veterans because of the amount of walking involved.
Bellville Lion’s Club President Bill Brook said their club and Country Meadows enjoy working together to honor this area’s veterans. The two organizations have worked together on several projects that benefit the community, according to Brook.
The two organizations received help again this year from the Boy Scout Troop 126. The local scouting group bussed tables and assisted with clean up after the dinner. Four members of the Lexington High School Leos, a junior Lion’s Club, also helped this year. The St. Paul Lutheran church provided the meeting place and many of the desserts.
Lion’s Club Treasurer Joseph Gribbin indicated about 40 people attended the dinner. He said many patrons made additional donations in support of the Honor Flight Program.
