OVIEDO, Fla. – Honor Flight Central Florida held its biggest fundraiser, “Hot Rods for Heroes,” on Saturday.
The nonprofit volunteer organization raises money to give our veterans the experience of a lifetime, an honor flight trip to visit our nation’s military memorials.
Kaye Dunham, Honor Flight Central Florida co-chair, said she gets emotional thinking about the flights.
“We lived in the D.C. area for awhile so we got to see it fairly often and it is such a moving event,” Dunham said. “Now to be inside of it and part of it, and see not just what it means on the outside, but what it means to those veterans.”
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While there were plenty of hot rods to go around on Saturday, one truck stood out, but not for what was under the hood.
Rick Wade was there with his truck that has received over 1,200 signatures from veterans.
“It really started with Peter Foster there, he was the first to sign it,” Wade said. “He was a four-time cancer survivor and unfortunately he was passing away from his fourth time and he didn’t want his legacy to die.”
While Wade isn’t a veteran, he feels passionately about giving back to the men and women who served our country and is involved in the REBOOT combat recovery program for veterans. He said every signature has a story.
“I really didn’t know what I was doing, right?” Wade said. “I really just built a truck because I loved the truck and I leave it up to God after that.”
Even though Saturday’s event had the goal to raise money for honor flights, it was also about recognizing our nation’s heroes, such as Korean War and Vietnam War veteran Bill Sharp. Sharp, a Marine Corps veteran, was able to go on a recent honor flight.
“It’s really nice. To have the people, when you get to the airport, 50 to 75 bands and orchestras, choirs singing, 50, 75 dogs barking, you couldn’t hold back the tears,” Sharp said.
Sharp received a Korean War Ambassador for Peace medal on Saturday.
“I think it has been a great privilege to serve God and my country, especially the Marine Corps,” Sharp said.
While the Hot Rods for Heroes event took place on Saturday, anyone can donate to Honor Flight Central Florida at any time. If you’re interested in donating or know a veteran who would like to go on an honor flight, click here.
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