Bill Dukes They saved the world, but for 60 years, the veterans of World War II had no national memorial to honor their service.

The WWII Memorial, in Washington, D.C., was dedicated in April, 2004, 60 years after the war. Now in their 80s and 90s, many of those brave veterans are unable to experience their memorial.

Local restaurateur, Bill Dukes, had the opportunity to take his father, 92- year- old World War II veteran, Bill Sr., to visit the monument. After returning to Columbia, Dukes made a commitment to provide the opportunity for other World War II veterans to see their memorial. As a result, Honor Flight South Carolina was founded.

"We have three million World War II veterans living today. They're dying at the rate of 1,200 to 1,400 a day. We need to hurry up and get with them and provide this to them before they pass away," says Dukes.

Honor Flight South Carolina is a local chapter of the national group "Honor Flight" that raises money to take World War II veterans for free to the memorial that honors them. The local group, headed by Dukes, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, and Medal of Honor recipient Charles Murray, is seeking to raise $300,000 to fund six one- day flights to the WWII memorial.

The Inaugural Flight date is scheduled for November 15, 2008. This first flight will accommodate 100 veterans at no charge and will be a one- day charter flight to Washington with priority given to veterans with financial and physical limitations. Guardians will accompany, assist, and escort the honored guests.

Schedule of events for the November 15 trip include:

• Leave Columbia on USAir Charter at 8:30 am

• Arrive at Reagan National Airport at 10 am

• Proceed to WWII Memorial via motor coach. Remain at Memorial for two to two and one half hours. Presentation of American and South Carolina Flags will be held at the South Carolina Pillar

• Lunch

• Visit Viet Nam and Korean Veterans Memorials and Lincoln Memorial

• Visit Iwo Jima Memorial

• Coaches will proceed to Arlington Cemetery with a stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 4 pm visitors will view the changing of the guard

• Board coaches for airport - leave D.C. at 6 pm, arrive back in Columbia at 7:30 pm

Honorary Chairmen of the Board of Directors for Honor Flight South Carolina are Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Charles Murray. Board members include Bill Dukes, Jim Anderson, Brian Dukes, Frank Adams, Nelson Lacy, and Larry Koester.

If you are, or know, a WWII veteran, or are interested in being a sponsor, guardian, or volunteer, more information may be found at www.honorflightsc. com or by calling 864- 884- 3001.