Tri-Rivers Students Raise $3,383 for Honor Flight
Tri-Rivers students and staff raised $3,383 to send veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their important service through Honor Flight Columbus who arranges the trips and activities.
After hearing Gerald “Van” Van Arsdale, a WWII Veteran talk about the Honor Flight trip and his war experiences at the 2010 Veterans Day Assembly, the students and staff wanted to be part of the fund raising efforts. Through movies and friendly competitions they raised enough funds to send at least 11 veterans to D.C., according to Heather Jenkins, social studies teacher and one of the coordinators of the assembly.
Van Arsdale told of experiences during WWII where he and his twin, George, both served. “George and I tore a $2 bill in half when we parted. I came back; he never did. He died September 17, 1945 when a typhoon capsized the ship he was serving aboard. My better half was gone.”
Bobbi Richards, director for Honor Flight Columbus, said, “It is so important that we help these veterans overcome barriers so they may visit the World War II Memorial. It is a long overdue tribute to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom, and a memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The 85-year-old Van Arsdale said his trip to the World War II Memorial through Honor Flight Columbus was “hard to describe in words. I was able to pull up my brother’s name up on the computer there. I found out he died on a Monday, I hadn’t known that.”
Richards said all World War II Veterans—from the greatest generation—deserve the opportunity to take this trip. “We work hard to make it happen. Fundraisers like Tri-Rivers make a difference.”
She also said veterans from all wars deserve a thank you. “Students when you see someone that is wearing something that signifies they are a veteran, approach them and shake their hand and say “thank you.”
Veterans activities at TRCC were organized by the Social Studies Team of Heather Jenkins, Jim Longo and Roy Schweinfurth.
For more information or for details on making a donation to Honor Flight Columbus, visit www.honorflightcolumbus.org
