FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2010

Honor Flight Long Island Participates in Activities in Coordination with Launch of HBO Miniseries "The Pacific"

Town of Southampton Joins Historic Initiative

A distinguished group of World War II veterans will have the chance to visit the World War II Memorial for the first time, as part of a national initiative to honor members of the military - especially those who fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

HBO, in partnership with American Airlines and Marriott Hotels & Resorts, is sponsoring a special slate of events and ceremonies timed to coincide with the premier of the HBO miniseries "The Pacific." HBO has reached out to the national Honor Flight organization to coordinate the attendance of 250 WWII veterans who served in the Pacific Theater during the war. These veterans, who served in the Pacific, will travel to Washington, DC from across the country on "Honor Flights," special trips arranged by The Honor Flight Network to bring veterans to the nation’s capitol in order to see the memorials that honor their service to our country.

Honor Flight Long Island is proud to be participating in these scheduled activities. Honor Flight Long Island will be sending 35 WWII veterans from across Long Island, along with guardians, to assist during the trip.

The Town of Southampton is proud to have provided administrative support to Honor Flight Long Island since the program’s inception in 2007. Since then, the Town has participated with other Long Island chapters of Honor Flight in facilitating flights for over 375 Long Island WWII veterans. The Town is thrilled to be a part of this important effort that means so much to these men and women who gave so much.

On Wednesday, March 10th, American Airlines will pick up the Honor Flight New England participants in Boston and fly to LaGuardia Airport to pick up the Long Island contingent. The send-off ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the American Airlines terminal. A Boys Choir, a Color Guard, and other events are planned for the send-off.

On Thursday, March 11th there will be ceremonies at the World War II Memorial at the National Mall starting at 11:30 a.m. sharp for the veterans. Numerous dignitaries will be present and special events are planned.

Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, herself a guardian on one of Honor Flight Long Island’s flights in 2008, has witnessed first hand the gamut of emotions felt by the veterans as they visited the memorial for the first time, and the heartfelt appreciation expressed by both elected officials and strangers alike as they made their way through Washington D.C. "It was such a humbling experience to be with these men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom. We owe them a debt of gratitude that we really can never fully repay. An opportunity such as this is just one way to express our sincere thanks for their service to our country."

Councilwoman Nancy Graboski will be participating in this Honor Flight as a representative of the Town of Southampton, and also as a guardian.  If you wish to contact her directly, you can call her at 631-287-5745, or email her at ngraboski@southamptontownny.gov.

The media and elected officials are invited to participate, either at the send-off from LaGuardia Airport or at the Memorial in Washington, D.C.