Gail Sparrow was recently honored by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution by being named the 2009 Community Service Award recipient. According to Sparrow, Honor Flight Fayette is all about honoring the veterans. “This is their day to tell and demonstrate how special they are, and how grateful America is to them for preserving our freedoms,” said Sparrow.
World War II veterans in Fayette County have many reasons to be grateful. The mighty warriors who fought in the world’s biggest war some 65 years ago helped maintain the freedoms American patriots have fought and sacrificed for over 265 years. Today, these same warriors are shown how much their efforts are remembered by Honor Flight Fayette and its founder, Sparrow.
Sparrow had heard of the National Honor Flight mission to take World War II veterans to see their memorial in Washington, DC at no cost. She had a vision to start this tribute in Fayette County. With Mark Westmoreland, Mark Buckner, Brenda Smith and George Sparrow at her side, she started Honor Flight Fayette in 2007.
Each trip takes over $40,000 to make it happen. Chartered flights, medical personnel and many volunteers are needed to make each flight a success. Sparrow talks to anyone who will listen, and Fayette County has listened well. Countless students, corporations and individuals all reach deep into their pockets to help Sparrow’s dream come true. It’s not just Sparrow’s dream to honor our veterans. Her enthusiasm has spread and the whole community has embraced her vision. Over the last couple of years, Honor Flight Fayette has raised over $250,000 for our veterans to take them to their monument. Waiting lists of World War II veterans are kept and more flights are added on a regular basis.
It is with many thanks to Sparrow for her vision to honor America’s Greatest Generation that the James Waldrop Chapter DAR was able to honor her. The James Waldrop Chapter DAR is chartered in Fayetteville.
