Honor Flight funding exceeds ‘wildest expectations’
File photo
U.S. Army veteran Harvey List is escorted by Dr. Shamshir Singh through Palm Beach International Airport following the return of Honor Flight from Washington, D.C. Sat., Oct. 19. The next flight is scheduled for Oct. 24.
Staff Writer
A couple of months ago, Southeast Florida Honor Flight was facing a crisis — its major sponsor had to withdraw its contribution to the $65,000 cost of transporting World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit national memorials and enjoy some well-deserved recognition.
Dr. Shamsher Singh, a Port St. Lucie physician and longtime supporter of Honor Flight, leaped into action. He made the rounds of city and county councils, contacted regional media (including Veteran Voice) and took a huge personal step — he offered to match $10,000 worth of donations.
Singh was quickly followed by World War II veteran Max Houss, who added his own $10,000 to the challenge.
The next flight is slated for Oct. 24. When Veteran Voice interviewed Singh, the outlook for making it to $65,000 wasn’t good, even with Singh and Houss’s challenge.
With a little more than two weeks to go, something amazing has happened.