SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Many World War II veterans may get to see the WWII (1939-1945) memorial in Washington D.C. for the first time, at its five-year anniversary. Honor Flight South Alabama will take veterans on a one-day, all-expenses-paid trip to the capital city on May 6, according to Barry Booth, the local organization’s co-chairman and guardian director.

The national organization focuses on flying WWII veterans to see the memorial because many senior citizens would never have the chance to visit it in their lifetimes due to financial or health-related issues, according to the Web site. Honor Flight pays travel expenses for veterans, who may take one guardian with them but the program doesn’t cover that cost. Medical staff will also attend to help those with disabilities, Booth said.

“Over 1,800 vets have been taken to (Washington) D.C.,” since the program’s commencement in 2005, he said. The trip will take about 95 veterans and 45 guardians on the day of festivities, with the main event being a tour of the WWII memorial completed in 2004, he said.

The one-day trip will fly from Mobile at 7:15 a.m. May 6 and land at Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. around 10 a.m. The group will visit the WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials and end the day at Arlington National Cemetery with the changing of the guard and wreath presentation at the tomb of the unknown soldier, Booth said. They will return to Mobile the same day for a reception to honor the veterans, he said.

Many veterans didn’t live to see the memorial’s completion and many that have the opportunity through Honor Flight will be happy to spend time with other service men and women since so many of their comrades have passed away, according to one such veteran, Adam Hollinger, who served in the Army’s 45th infantry as a machine gunner during WWII.

“I look forward to being with other veterans,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the monument and I just appreciate anything that anybody does to recognize veterans, not just of World War Two, but of Korea, Vietnam ….”

Hollinger landed in Anzio Beachhead, Italy in 1944 and was captured Feb. 17, 1944. On April 29, 1945 he was liberated by the Russians, he said. “I was really really blessed,” he said of his liberation.

He had not intended to join the Army as a young man, he said. “I was a draftee; I had other ambitions—to be a big-time musician,” he said with a chuckle. “I was raised up in the Depression and I was born and half-raised in Monroe County.”

He’s lived in Baldwin County since 1948, when he married his wife, Louise Baggett Hollinger, who died three years ago, he said.

“I decided to go (on the memorial trip) after talking to Dr. Booth; it sounds like a very interesting trip,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of anything they do to recognize the veterans.”

And Booth is proud to solute such men and women, he said.

“It is the best day in the rest of your life,” Booth said.

“For the price that they paid, this is a very small effort to help them see their memorial.”

Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more, visit honorflight.org or call Booth at 626-3211.