Students, teachers, and community members are organizing a surprise for a local World War II veteran. When the vet arrives in Washington, DC next week to see the WWII Memorial, he will be greeted with a flood of letters from grateful Lake Zurich citizens.

Edward Young, a WWII veteran and former District 95 School Board member, will be taking part in the Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial on May 6. As a surprise, teachers such as Linda Watson, history teacher, are having their students write letters to the former Marine for a surprise Mail Call at the Memorial.
“I feel strongly that kids today should feel respect for military personnel in a unique opportunity to show them who they are to people. People who do this on a daily basis and fight for us,” Watson said.

Honor Flight pays respect by bringing the WWII veterans to the Memorial with their families to see the memorial dedicated to the armed forces who fought in the Pacific and Europe. The memorial opened in 2004 and the Honor Flight program began in 2005 to make sure veterans could see the memorial dedicated to them.

“I think its important to show how much they did for this country. They basically helped us to become such a great global power we are now. If it wasn’t for them we probably wouldn’t be where we are now,” Michael Bertoia, sophomore in Watson’s class, said.

According to the Honor Flight Organization’s website, “an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.”

“I think he deserves the attention for what he’s done. How he fought in the war and protected my freedom, future,” Isaac Dina, sophomore in Watson’s class, said.

Anyone can write a letter to Young through the Honor Flight program. If you’re interested in writing a letter send it to:

Honor Flight Chicago Mail Call

Attn: PFC Edward Young — May 6, 2015

6688 Joliet Road

Indian Head Park, IL 60525

You can also send letters to other veterans. See the Honor Flight website for more information.