Three Chautauqua County Veterans recently participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC. To prepare for the trip, Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight hosted a continental breakfast/meeting in Williamsville on April 11, filling the Veterans and their travel buddies in on the many things to be aware of prior to their flight, one week later.
Bright and early on April 11, Joe Martin and son Jim and Phil Lindsey and his daughter Elizabeth Anderson met me at the Fenton Mansion to board the TEAM bus to Buffalo. Bob Asel and his son Josh drove up the evening before, as all out-of-towners had that option. Occasionally, the Chautauqua County Veterans van is not available, and you may remember the fundraising campaign of late 2024 and early 2025. We wanted to be sure we could easily have funds available for transportation when needed, as we did this time.
We are so grateful to all who donated to that fund – Chautauqua County Joint Veterans Council, Cassadaga American Legion Aux 1280, Westfield American Legion Aux. 327, Brocton SAL Squadron 434, Fredonia SAL Squadron 59, Chautauqua Lake Memorial VFW Aux 8647, Silver Creek Amvets Riders 6472, Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie NY Chapter 4.
Chautauqua Lake Region AACA, R.J. Loomis Enterprises, TEAM Services (Discount), Three Sixty Graphics. Patriotic Bingo Nov. 30 2024 participants: Fluvanna VFD (venue), Fluvanna VFD Aux. and Caller Mike, generous Bingo players & Raffle Basket Donors, Veteran Owned Businesses who sponsored monetary game prizes: Bella Bounce Lounge, I-86 Truck & Auto Service, Range Ranch, U-Take The Cake, West Main Mercantile. Individual donors: Barbara Ellis, Steven Cramer family (including Mays and Tramante), Cessna family, Maury Spillane, Janet Wahlberg.
Miraculously, this fund amounted for over $5,000 and is designated to Honor Flight transportation. The October Patriotic Bingo will be aimed at replenishing this flight transportation and possibly June and October as well.
Enjoy the photos of these Vets enjoying their flight during the 250th Anniversary of America!
