Tracy Briggs (shown with co-host Scott Hennen) is a morning talk show host out of Fargo, North Dakota who has spearheaded the North Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota Honor Flights. The WDAY site today reads: WDAY WWII HONOR FLIGHT TO TAKE “BONUS” TRIP

Because of overwhelming support from the community and sponsors the WDAY WWII Honor Flight will takeoff for a 4th time in the spring of 2008 in what’s described as a limited “œbonus trip.” The trip will serve veterans who have already applied for the project, but remained on the waiting list following the completion of the 3rd flight in November of 2007.

“We were overwhelmed with applications,” said Tracy Briggs, Honor Flight Project Coordinator. “œWe expected the project to serve about 300 veterans over the course of a year. Instead 750 WWII veterans throughout the tri-state area applied for the flights.” The completed project from start to finish will be about a year and a half. (Planning started in October 2006 and the projected end of the project will be May 2008). “œWe served twice the number of veterans that we expected and our commitment to the project was nearly twice as long as we planned,” said Briggs.

Because of the generosity of individuals, businesses and clubs throughout the Dakotas and Minnesota about $475,000 dollars was raised to send 586 WWII veterans on the first three flights to Washington to see the WWII Memorial in May, September and November of 2007. Currently, the Honor Flight committee estimates needing an additional $50,000 to completely pay for a 4th flight. If you’™d like set up a fundraiser prior to sending a donation please contact Fundraising Chair Lance Akers at (701) 238-9298. For a general donation send checks to “Honor Flight” 505 3rd Avenue North, Fargo, ND, 58102.

Honor Flight is featured in Jewel of the Mall: World War II Memorial book.