Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Local veterans announce new effort to raise money for honor flights (11/05/09)

Back row from left to right, Wilbert Dittmer, Paul Collier, Southern District Commissioner Richard "Dick" Hassler and Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown. Front row from left to right, Edward "Jack" Elsea, Winnie Warnock, Harold Arensmeier, Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner and Charlie Guthrie. Five Saline County World War II veterans who have been on the Show-Me Honor Flight stand with Saline County Commissioners and Honor Flight board member Charlie Guthrie at the commission office Wednesday, Nov. 4.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)

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There is now a new way to honor veterans in Saline County. Show-Me Honor Flight is selling personalized bricks, which will be laid around the sidewalks at Saline County Courthouse beginning in 2010, Charlie Guthrie said at the Saline County Commission meeting Wednesday morning, Nov. 4.

Guthrie and a group of area veterans visited commissioners at their meeting to discuss Honor Flight and the brick project.

"We owe (veterans) a lot and we don't want to forget," Guthrie said. "These guys and gals made it all possible for us to do what we're doing today."

Edward "Jack" Elsea, left, and Harold Arensmeier, right, hold a sample brick, similar to those that can be purchased and then laid around the sidewalks at Saline County Courthouse, as a Show-Me Honor Flight fundraiser. Elsea and Arensmeier made the first two brick purchases from Saline County.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)

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Show-Me Honor Flight, which is headquartered in Sedalia, is a program that takes World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their war memorial, and Guthrie is a member of the board. Since its beginning, Honor Flight has taken four groups to the capital, totaling about 145 veterans, including 19 from Saline County, Guthrie said.

Selling bricks inscribed with veterans' names is a way for Honor Flight to raise funds to take veterans on the trip, which averages about $350 per person. The bricks cost $50 each, with $40 going directly to the cause.

To buy a brick, contact Dale Zank, Sam Jones or Dave Cramer at Community Bank in Marshall. In Slater, contact Guthrie.

Show-Me Honor Flight is also working with area radio stations to host a one-day radiothon Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The radiothon will be broadcast KXKX at 105.7 FM and on KSDL at 92.3 FM.

Commissioners conducted no other business in their meeting. They will meet again Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the courthouse.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net