News Release from: Clark Co. Sheriff's Office
METRO AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT SET TO HONOR TRAVELING WWII VETERANS
Posted: June 6th, 2012 9:08 AM
On June 7th, 55 WWII veterans and 44 of their "guardians" will be departing from PDX very early in the morning (around 6am) to travel to the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. They will be returning on the 10th around 10:00am. This memorial was completed in 2007 and now several organizations across the Nation collect donations to sponsor veterans and fly them on an "Honor Flight" to let them see their memorial before it is too late. They fly only two "Honor Flights" a year out of PDX for these veterans. Almost ninety (90) percent of WWII Veterans who survived WWII have passed away since the war ended 66 years ago. Approximately 1,000 WWII veterans pass away daily across America. Their average age is in the late 80's.
The vets are leaving the Airport Shilo Inn in a large commercial bus at 0400. Since there is so many, they will have to make two trips. What we are asking for is metro area Honor Guard Members, Patrol Officers, Patriot Guard Riders, Fire personnel and other first responders to assist us. We will form a cordon of honor for these veterans and their guardians as they enter the Southwest Airlines terminal.
We are meeting at the Southwest Airlines terminal at 0345 awaiting the first bus arrival at around 0410hrs. We have the support of the Port of Portland Police and PDX Operations. We are asking each of you to park in short term parking.
These WWII Veterans are the last of the "Greatest Generation", I think getting up early one morning to pay them the respect they deserve is the least we can do.
Please see the YouTube video below which documented a past Honor Flight departing PDX. You will see Bob Maxwell towards the end wearing his awarded Congressional Medal of Honor during one of many ceremonies. He lives in Bend, OR and is a huge supporter of law enforcement.
At this time we will have Honor Guard Members from Gresham PD, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Portland PD, Washington County, Hillsboro PD, Clark County Sheriff's Office as well as officers from around the Portland Metropolitan area. The media is welcome to cover our welcoming of these WWII Veterans as they arrive at the airport at 0410hrs. I just want to make sure we focus on them and what they did for our country so many years ago. Also, only the organizers of "Honor Flight" know what we have planned so we would like to keep this a surprise for the 99 travelers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFVizjEnxw8&feature=youtu.be
http://www.portlandhonorflight.org/index.html
Sergeant Kevin Allais
Major Crimes Unit/Honor Guard
Clark County Sheriff's Office
360-397-2020
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