Money raised to send vets to D.C.

ROANOKE, Ind. (WANE) - The Roanoke Honor Flight is raising money to send World War II veterans on what they call an unforgettable trip, our sister station WANE reports.

Saturday was the third annual Honor Flight Benefit Concert. Volunteers helped provide food, games for children, and entertainment. Three local bands played from 4 P.M. to midnight.

The Honor Flight is an organization that raises money to send World War II veterans to Washington D.C. for a day trip. Veterans tour the city and visit the new World War II memorial.

The event sponsored by the Roanoke American Legion Post 160 goes until 9:30 p.m., but the bands will play until midnight. Tickets are eight dollars at the door, and all proceeds go to help fund the flight.

"It's a heartwarming experience. As one gentleman that I talked to a few minutes ago said it was a life changing event for him, and that's a pretty good way of putting it, life changing event," said Bob Meyer, the president of the Northeast Indiana Honor Flight.

Each flight costs nearly $60,000. The event Saturday helped fund the next flight which is October 17th. So far, each flight has been able to take between 70 and 80 veterans.

It is a national program; however, this is the third year Northeast Indiana has sent flights to D.C. The Roanoke Honor Flight has been able to take 490 veterans since its conception in 2009, and they take two flights per year.