As is usually the case, many people and communities around America celebrated Memorial Day with parades and ceremonies to honor the men and women who have fought for this country.  It's a time that, as a nation, we can remember collectively. However, there are groups and organizations that pay homage to these individuals on a daily basis.  One such organiztion is the Honor Flight Network.

Originating out of Springfield, Ohio in May of 2005, Honor Flight took 12 WWII vets to visit the memorial in Washington D.C.  Within months, the waiting list was so long that they incorporated the use of commercial airlines.  With a hub in almost every state, there are more flights to accomodate the still long lists of vets waiting to take the trip. One veteran in particular, Jack Garness, a resident at The Pointe at Kilpatrick, had been waiting for sometime when he got the call that his turn had come.  On Wednesday, May 21st, Jack and 79 other WWII vets flew out of St. Louis to Washington D.C. to visit the memorial that was dedicated to them.

Jack, who's civilian life was already filled with adventure, fought in the Pacific and was actually shot twice.  Before the war, Jack had played professional baseball in 1936-1937 and even played with Cincinnati Reds' Hank Sauer.  Jack's greatess passion though, was flying.  He loved to fly his own planes and says that he really misses being able to do it.  He also ran a car dealership for years.

To listen to Jack tell his stories is amazing in itself.  He treats them all as matter of fact, whether he was selling a car or fighting in the war.  It's wonderful to know that their is a group out there, helping men and women like Jack in realizing a dream. Going to the memorial and being able to sharing their experiences  with others who lived it, is a very powerful reminder to the vets of why they fought those battles in the first place.

For more information on the history, locations and schedules of The Honor Flight Network log on to www.honorflight.org