Sidney, OH – March 4, 2014 – Ray and Jody Prater, Co-chairs of the “Shelby County (OH) Veterans to Washington, DC Committee” have announced this group of volunteers is accepting applications for their tenth trip of Washington, DC for Shelby County WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans who haven’t yet visited their memorials. This year’s trip dates are September 19-21. Accompanying the Veterans will be their caregivers and committee volunteers. Like the organization’s previous nine trips beginning in 2009, the trip is free for Veterans with ties to Shelby County. Veterans from outside Shelby County will be considered as space is available.
In their previous nine trips, the committee has transported 319 WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans and an almost equal number of caregivers to Washington, DC. The first and third day of the trip itinerary will be motor coach travel between Sidney and Washington, DC. The second day In Washington begins after breakfast with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns and tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Next up will be visits to the United States Air Force Memorial, the Marine Corp War Memorial (also known as the Iwo Jim Memorial) and lunch. After lunch are visits to the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial followed by dinner. Besides motor coach travel, trip details include all meals, lodging and regular rest breaks. Medical providers and volunteers will assist Veterans with their special needs.
Committee members have already begun raising funds for the September 19-21 trip through private and corporate donations to cover all expenses for the Veterans. Caregivers and volunteers will be required to pay $250 to cover their expenses.
Jody and Ray Prater add that there are two special forms of donations to sponsor a Veteran; the “Memorial Donation” and the “Sponsorship Donation.” Both tax deductible. The Memorial Donation is for an individual or group (church, family, school, service club, etc.) making a $355 donation in memory of a deceased Veteran(s) or loved one(s). And a $355 “Sponsorship Donation” is an excellent way for an individual or group to sponsor an attending Veteran they know or one they wish to sponsor. For both Memorial and Sponsorship Donations, information will be exchanged between paired sponsor and Veteran except where anonymity is requested.
Veteran, caregiver and volunteer applications for the September 19-21 trip can be picked up at Sidney’s American Legion Post 217 and VFW Post 4239 or the Shelby County Veterans Service Office inside the Monument Building in downtown Sidney. Applications can be downloaded from the committee’s website http://www.shelbycountyvetstodc.blogspot.com/. To find out more about Memorial and Sponsorship Donations or for more information about this very worthwhile project, contact Ray or Jody Prater at 937-638-8670 or by e-mail at prater1966@centurylink.net. See the committee’s website for information about the group’s previous nine trips and activities. All application forms and tax deductible donations should be mailed to Veterans to Washington, DC, PO Box 408, Anna, OH 45302. All applications for the September 19-21 trip must be received by July 31.
