“Freedom is not free". "Here, one finds the expression of American gratitude to those who restored freedom to South Korea. Nineteen stainless steel sculptures stand silently under the watchful eye of a sea of faces upon a granite wall—reminders of the human cost of defending freedom. These elements all bear witness to the patriotism, devotion to duty, and courage of Korean War veterans.” (Photo & Quote: National Park Service)
The 19 stainless-steel statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial depict fighting men on patrol, and represent the 1.5 million Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard men and women who fought in the war.
Background: A non-profit organization called Valor Flight, Inc., located in Madison, Alabama, is committed to extend the community's appreciation to the Valley’s Korean War veterans, with a day of remembrance and gratitude for their service to our Nation and courage in the cause for freedom.
Call Sign: Valor One - The Flight of The Not Forgotten.
Mission: To fly Tennessee Valley Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorial and others for a day of remembrance and gratitude for their service to our Nation and courage in the cause for freedom.
When: Our 1st flight on November 12th, 2011 was a success (Mission Completed!). Our second and final flight is targeted for November, 2012... providing we raise the needed funds.
Initial consideration is for those Tennessee Valley Korean War Veterans, who served in Korea and live in the counties of: Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall and Jackson. Exception(s) could be made for a veteran(s) living outside of those areas. Future flights will be considered based upon the number of Korean War veterans that live in the Tennessee Valley and available funds.
We Need: Contributions and Fundraisers to cover the cost of this unique one-day experience.
One trip costs roughly $100 thousand dollars. We need to raise another $100 thousand dollars so that we can fly our 2nd mission and final flight in November 2012. We need your help.
We are looking for 20 business leaders to donate $5000 each or as much as you can donate at this time. Every dollar helps and we greatly appreciate it!
Please spread the word of our financial need, and if you can, please consider a donation. Personal and Corporate tax-deductible Donations are accepted on-line using the Donate button below or mailed to Valor Flight, PO Box 1353, Madison, Alabama 35758. All donations are greatly appreciated. Together, we will achieve this worthy mission. Thank you!
Alabama Public Radio Reporter Stan Ingold released his piece on Valor Flight today (29Sept11). We thank Stan and APR for their faith and support in our very important mission.
"Veterans of U.S. combat in Korea often refer to this conflict as “The Forgotten War. An Alabama based organization is making it a point to see the veterans from the early 1950’s are recognized for their service. As Alabama Public Radio’s Stan Ingold reports, the group “Valor Flight” has something special planned…"
Tax-deductible contributions will be used to provide air transportation, bus transportation, meals, T-shirts, memorabilia, disposable cameras, fuel, and other basic necessities to make each veteran – some of whom are in fragile health – as comfortable as possible.
$ 50 - Donald & Emily Keller
$ 25 - Lisa Jackman & Eloise Pate
$100 - Christine Smith, honoring John W. Eubanks (CW02, U.S. Army Retired)
$100 - Christine Smith, honoring Hoyt O. Smith (EM1, US Navy 1948-1953)
$ 50 - Sigmund & Moonyean Klueger
$ 25 - Billy Neal
$100 - Teri Mayo
$ 25 - Karen Chillcott
$100 - Patrick & Stephanie Jordan
$ 25 - Joel Lonergan
$ 50 - Alice Correa
$ 25 - Phil Patterson
$ 50 - Mike (LTC, U.S. Army Retired) & Karen Measels
$100 - Patrick & Joan Filidoro (from Floral Park, NY)
$350 - Garth Mountain Garden Club
$100 - Ho Soo Yoo
$ 25 - Stephen & Karlene Milburn
$100 - Mr & Mrs Frank Eiser
$ 50 - Mr & Mrs Richard Allen
$100 - US Army Warrant Officers Association
$100 - Albert J. Fitzgerald
$200 - Huntsville Chapter Military Officers Association of America, "We are proud to support Valor Flight"
$100 - Disabled American Veterans, Huntsville Chapter 26
$100 - Joe Bongiovanni
$500 - Terry O'Reilly (WWII Veteran), "I went on the Honor Flight for the WWII veterans and enjoyed it more than any trip I have ever taken. Being with people that had gone through the war and understood the meaning of the trip made a difference. I hope all taking the trip will enjoy it as much as I did"
$1000 - American Legion Post 237
$1000 - American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 237
$1000 - Sons of American Legion Squadron 237
$2000 - Air Defense Artillery Association, Redstone Arsenal Huntsville Chapter, "The ADAA is proud to recognize your organization and the outstanding contributions it provides to veterans in Huntsville and North Alabama"
$1000 - Air, Space, and Missile Defense Association, "On behalf of both our Board of Directors and our entire general membership, please accept the enclosed check for $1,000 as an expression of our appreciation for all that you do for men and women who serve or have served in our country's military"
$100 - Nancy F. Campbell, honoring her brother James A. Foster
$1000 - Contributor wishes to remain anonymous
$150 - George & Patricia Tatum, honoring George C. Coefer (SGT MAJ, U.S. Army Retired) and who was able to withdraw his men through the "Gaunlet" at Kunu-Ri
$ 50 - William & JoAnn Hadaway
$500 - Vets with Vettes & Corvette Owners, "The goals of the Vets with Vettes and Corvette Owners club are to continue to support and honor our veterans and their families and increase public awareness of the sacrifices they have made for our nation. We are thrilled to support your organization in achieving your goal in serving the Korean War Veterans!"
$ 30 - Cathy Clayton
$100 - Gordon Hearn
$500 - Natalie Higgins
$200 - Earlene Kather
$ 50 - COL (USA Ret) & Mrs. William T King
$200 - Bill & Chris Johnson
$100 - W. Heidish
$ 30 - Lonnie McCormick, M.D.
$1000 - Ben & Fran Hollis
$ 100 - Mr. & Mrs. Charles Moore
$ 25 - Mr. & Mrs. Johnnie Arnold III
$ 100 - Michael & Felicia Robyn McCoy
$ 100 - John & Cathleen Geist
$1000 - George & Margo Williams
$1200 - Ho Soo Yoo & Young K. Choun (Hoo Soo has written a book about her mother's experience during the Korean War called, "A Pair of High Heels in the Korean War", and will be donating the proceeds from the sales of her book to Valor Flight. Thank You Hoo Soo!
$ 100 - The Grace Sunday School Class at Willowbrook Baptist Church.
$ 200 - Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, "The Father Jeremy F. Trecy Assembly #004, proudly are contributing to Valor Flight. We as the Patriotic group of the Knights of Columbus here in Huntsville, Alabama support your efforts to our nation's veterans. Their efforts for past deeds and services are often forgotten. Keep up the outstanding work."
$ 50 - Norma & Paul Jensen
$408.27 - Space & Missile Defense Conference
$200 - Col, (Ret) Howard and Jan Camp
$100 - Al & Lanell Wassum
$300 - N. Talley
$100 - Mrs. Shirley Queen (in memory of my husband Kenneth M. Queen who served in the Korean War)
$100 - Mrs. Shirley Queen (in memory of my brother Woodrow V. Cummins, who served in WWII, Korea & Vietnam)
$100 - Mrs. Shirley Queen (honoring my brother-in-law Terry Dungey, a Korean War veteran)
$100 - Mrs. Shirley Queen (honoring my friend James E. Sanford, a Korean War veteran)
$200 - Woon Jik Lee, Joy Cleaners
$200 - The Senior Women's Group, Korean Presbyterian Church of Huntsville
$100 - Dr. Sura & Elizabeth Kim
$100 - Kyung R. Hur, Kaleido Scoops Ice Cream
$ 50 - Sun T. Kim
$ 50 - Young Sook Kim
$ 50 - Young Ran Shin
$ 50 - Eun Sook Son
$ 60 - Rev. Sa Hyun No, Young Nak Presbyterian Church of Huntsville
$100 - Colson
$100 - Duck S. Song
$ 30 - Tae Soo Kwon
$ 35 - Lim Hur, Styles of Madison
$200 - Mr. Don Colbath
$100 - Mrs. Herman Hester, Delano R. & Yvonne Price (in memory of Herman Hollis Hester, a Korean War veteran)
$ 25 - Gwen V. Parks
$ 50 - Mr & Mrs H. C. Tom
$500 - Madison American Legion Post 229
$100 - Gene B. Aittala
$200 - Lakin & Carol Collins (in honor of my father J.T. Collins)
$100 - Dan & Betty Green (in honor of of my friend's father, J.T. Collins)
$200 - John J. Valloric of Arlington, VA ("Please accept this small donation to help cover some of the expense for Korean Vets visiting the DC memorial. As a Korean War vet myself, I know how much it means to see their memorial. I go down every Nov 27, Dec 25 to visit my friends that can't see it. I also go to tell them how things are going. I was a Navy Corpsman with the 7th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division ('50-'51) and regular Navy ('51-'56) on a tin can. Take care. Semper Fi!")
$100 - William & Louise Heidish
$100 - Randy & Tiffany Hubbard (in honor of my father Guy G. Hubbard who went on Valor Flight and really enjoyed the trip!)
$150 - Jean Winfrey (in memory of my father James O. Maddox)
$100 - Col. Tommy & Melanie Lancaster
$ 68.05 - Farley Elementary School Student Council
$ 10 - Donna Henry White
$ 50 - Scott & Lucille McMahan
$100 - Dan & Betty Green (in honor of J.T. Collins)
83 Campaign - we seek 83 businesses to donate $1000 each. Thank You!
#10 - $500 donation by Glenn McPhearson of Griffon Aerospace
#11 - $1000 donation by Hyosung USA, Inc. (We are pleased to be making a donation to Valor Flight as a Korean Corporate Company located here in the United States, to express our appreciation to the Valley's Korean War Veterans. Going to visit the Memorial that represents all they fought for is a great opportunity. Thank you for helping and remembering those that are often forgotten")
20 Campaign - we seek 20 businesses to donate $5000 each. Thank You!
#1 - $70,000 donation by an Anonymous Contributor