Fundraising efforts are underway to send Boone County veterans on a flight to Washington DC, to visit the war memorials.

The Boone County Freedom Flight committee has been meeting for the past couple of months to plan Boone Countys first Freedom Flight. The trip would send World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans to visit the war memorials as a way to say thanks for their service to this country.

The committee is hoping to raise at least $95,000 to send the first group of veterans to Washington DC. This will cover the buses to transport the veterans to the airport, the flight, the meals and the logistics, so the veterans do not have to pay anything. So far, approximately $6,000 has been raised.

A number of fundraisers are being planned to help increase the amount set aside for Boone Countys inaugural flight. The first is a chili/soup supper that will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m. in the basement of the Boone County Historical Society, 602 Story St. During the meal, veterans who have participated in other counties freedom flights will tell of their experiences and the impact the trips had on them.

Other fundraisers being planned include goldfish races, selling T-shirts and other Freedom Flight merchandise at the upcoming Boone Home & Garden Show, Feb. 20-21, in the community building at the Boone County Fairgrounds, and having a booth at the March 14 ABATE swap meet, also to be held in the community building.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Boone County Freedom Flight may do so by sending a check addressed to Boone County Veterans Freedom Flight to P.O. Box 311, Boone, Iowa 50036. Donations are tax deductible and 100 percent of all proceeds will go toward the Freedom Flight. Questions can be directed to Dick Thul, (515) 298-0109, Don Batt, (515) 298-0375, or email boonecountyfreedomflight@gmail.com.

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Freedom Flight planning making progress