UPSTATE — The first Upstate “Honor Flight” for this year to honor World War II Veterans is scheduled for Tuesday morning, April 20th. The Veterans will depart Greenville Spartanburg Airport at approximately 9 a.m. and fly to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial built in their honor

, “This is truly a community project that has been supported by all of the community to let these WWII veterans know how much we appreciate their sacrifice and service many years ago,” said Pickens County Sheriff C. David Stone. “They literally saved the world. This is a small way to thank them for what they did for our country.”

The Sheriff’s Office cosponsors Honor Flight in Pickens County.

Stone said the veterans should return by 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

“We encourage as many folks as possible to be at GSP at 7:30 p.m. to give these outstanding veterans a hero’s welcome home when they return from the trip,” Stone said. “This is one of the main highlights of the trip to have so many people turn out at the airport. If you haven’t been present to witness the homecoming, please try to make it, it is truly an emotional, memorable experience.”

This will be the fifth Honor Flight for the upstate WW II Veterans. Honor Flight is a 501 (c )3 Federal tax exempt organization. Those wishing to contribute can send their contribution to Honor Flight, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, 216 LEC Road, Pickens, SC 29671.