By By MaryClaire Foster
Retired Atmore attorney Robert Maxwell took a one-day trip of a lifetime Wednesday as he joined 91 other World War II veterans on a charter flight to the nation’s capital.
The group was part of the national Honor Flight initiative which, allow s veterans of World War II to travel to see the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. with no cost to themselves.
Honor Flight South Alabama hosted the trip as part of the nation-wide Honor Flight Network.
Maxwell said the opportunity to be part of the trip is one he is immensely grateful for.
To be able to participate in a flight, veterans must sign up and be put on a waiting list. Maxwell said he had been on the list for three months and did not know he was going until only hours before.
Veterans for the flight are chosen on a first come, first serve basis with priority given to those that are terminally ill.
According to the Honor Flight Web site, www.honorflight.org, approximately 1,000 WWII veterans are dying daily and it is their goal to have as many visit the memorial as possible.
Medical professionals and “guardians,” volunteers prepared to handle the veterans’ emergency needs and comfort during the trip, accompanied the group.
Maxwell said the trip was a very emotional experience.
Maxwell’s appointed guardian for the trip was Major Kara Rose of the Mobile Police Department.
Rose said she participated in the trip as a way to say thank you to the veterans.
Rose too said the experience was extremely moving.
Upon return to the airport Wednesday evening, the group was met by hundreds of well wishers shouting thanks to the group for their service.
Applications to participate in the flight are available through their Web site.