Ephrata legion plans Honor Flight fundraiser

EPHRATA — In 1949, President Harry S Truman proclaimed the third Saturday in May as the day to honor the country’s armed forces.

This year, that day is May 19, a day the Ephrata American Legion and Auxiliary are staging a nacho and taco feed, as well as a dessert auction, to raise money to help veterans visit Washington, D.C., and the memorials built in their honor.

“We’d like people to be aware of what we’re doing,” said Jane Montaney, one of the organizers of the fundraiser. “We want people to save the date, and maybe we can get someone who has been on an Honor Flight to share their story.”

Honor Flight was started to help aging World War II veterans visit the National World War II Memorial, which was established in 2004. Since then, Korean War and Vietnam veterans have become eligible to visit their memorials.

According to Montaney, the Nacho/Taco Feed and Dessert Auction will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at the Ephrata American Legion Hall, 276 Eighth Ave. NW in Ephrata. For a suggested donation of $10, participants will get access to the buffet, see an Honor Flight video, and hopefully hear from veterans.

“The funds we raise through our annual event benefits Inland Northwest Honor Flight but we give it through Justin Peterson,” Montaney said. “Justin started raising funds for Honor Flight when he was just 9 years old.”

Now that Peterson is 18, preparing to graduate from Ephrata High School and go off to college this fall, Montaney said she was not sure if he would be at this coming fundraiser.

“We’re hoping Justin can be with us,” she said.

For more information about the Nacho/Taco Feed and Dessert Auction, or if you are a veteran who would like to share your experience, contact Mike or Jane Montaney at 509-754-4889.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com