Raising Money For World War II Veterans

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Seven-hundred fifty South Dakota World War II veterans have made the trip to see their national memorial in Washington, D.C., but even more still need that chance. 

The World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., was built to honor 16 million Americans. But there are thousands of veterans who still haven't seen it.  Honor Flight South Dakota is fighting to change that.

"More vets have signed up to be on a list. It's about a total of 1,200 on the list," Honor Flight South Dakota Larry Rohrer said. 

Four-hundred fifty of those names will soon be on airline tickets. Four more South Dakota Honor Flights are scheduled for this fall. For veterans, it's the chance of a lifetime.

"Seeing the memorial, seeing how they'll be remembered by their nation and getting the chance to feel that is a life-changing experience and it's a statement I've heard more often than any other," Rohrer said.

That's why the group is teaming up with several musicians who perform everything from country to bluegrass music for a concert.

"We're going to hold a jam session, have some fun and hopefully raise a lot of money for the program," Rohrer said.

When you purchase a ticket, every dollar goes toward putting another veteran on a flight to see the memorial built in their honor.

That means for just $25, you can help send a veteran on a life-changing trip.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 24.  You can purchase tickets at all Sioux Falls and Brandon Lewis Drug Stores. The concert will be held Saturday, July 10, at the Brandon Performing Arts Center.

Some of the performers are fiddle players Kenny Putnam, Tom Scheafer and Owen Dejong. They will be playing a variety of music from old-time fiddle, country swing, bluegrass, celtic and original songs. An all-star lineup of musicians will share the stage including Mike Conner, Boyd Bristow, Nick Schwebach, Terry Pospisil and many more.

Honor Flight South Dakota