To the editor:

On April 30 the Syracuse Honor Flight Mission 7 will transport 80 war veterans to Washington D.C. to view the Memorials that have been built to honor the effort and sacrifices of the men and women who served in World War11, the Korean War and Vietnam War. The priority order for each Mission is given to WW11 veterans, Korean veterans and terminally ill veterans from any era. The trip is both rewarding and emotional for the veterans.

They Syracuse very early Saturday morning and land at National airport in Washington, where they are greeted by large crowds consisting of local veterans, active duty military personnel and hundreds of civilians. At each of the Memorials they are greeted and thanked for their service by many visitors. On their return to Syracuse at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday, they receive a rousing reception from friends, many others who have come specifically to greet them, a pipe band and local organizations. Each veteran is presented a quilt by the members of a local quilting society and then proceed to a welcoming ceremony.

My reason for writing this letter is to urge the readers to go to the airport on Saturday and be a part of the reception. It will be very rewarding. Plan on being in the terminal by 6 p.m.

As an alumnus of Mission 3 I can assure you it will mean a lot to the veterans to have you there.

Gene F. Smith

Cazenovia

Korean War Veteran