CHAMBER ESCORTS LOCAL WWII VETERANS TO MEMORIAL

The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce escorted a group of about 40 local World War II Veterans to see the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. In cooperation with Senator George Maziarz and the National Honor Flight Network, the Chamber honored the veterans by coordinating and staffing the trip. Veterans were accompanied by a "Guardian" who assisted them as needed. The average age of the World War Two veteran is 77 years old. Unfortunately, we are loosing approximately 1200 of them per day and with that their first hand accounts of the war. Many of the veterans have never seen "their memorial" Many memories and stories were shared along with some tears. This is a new initiative by Senator Maziarz who coordinated to bring a Niagara Buffalo group of veterans to Washington in June of this year. After the success of the first trip, yesterday’s trip was planned. Senator Bob Dole met with the group yesterday answered their questions and shared time with them. Senator Dole was instrumental in getting the memorial built. The National Honor Flight Network was established in 2005 and serves to honor veterans. Top priority is given to senior veterans.