Pensacola, Fl (November 12, 2007) - Congressman Jeff Miller (R-Fl-01) today announced the creation of the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. The Emerald Coast Honor Flight is composed of group of individuals and businesses throughout Northwest Florida who created the organization solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices.
The mission of Emerald Coast Honor Flight is to fly America's World War II Veterans from Northwest Florida to Washington, D.C., free of charge, to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. The inaugural flight will take place in the Spring of 2008.
“Honor Flight is about honoring the courage, the valor, and the sacrifices of the brave men and women who served during World War II,” said Miller. “I am extremely proud of our community for stepping up to the plate and showing our appreciation for the Greatest Generation.”
Congressman Miller felt that this was a program he wanted to bring home to the First District of Florida and conceptually brought the idea to area community leaders. The Emerald Coast Honor Flight was created and it quickly partnered with Baptist Healthcare, Humana Veterans Healthcare Service, and the Rotary Club of Pensacola. Northwest Florida has over 7,000 WWII veterans currently living in the area.
“When these courageous men and women come to Washington next Spring, they will be recognized as the brave heroes that literally saved the world,” Miller said. “All day long they will be thanked, recognized and admired for their service. They will all have a deeper appreciation for how much their country loves them.”
The Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, to honor veterans he has taken care of for the past 27 years. In May of 2004, the WWII Memorial was finally completed and dedicated in Washington DC which quickly became the topic of discussion among his WWII Veteran patients. Earl repeatedly heard from these veterans that they would like travel out to visit THEIR memorial. Honor Flight was born and the maiden first flight took to the air in May of 2005.
Emerald Coast Honor Flight
P.O. Box 86
Pensacola, FL 32591-0086
www.EmeraldCoastHonorFlight.com
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