The Exchange Club of Rome is one of many that Ronnie Evans is hoping will support World War II veterans by helping raise funds for the Honor Flight program.

Honor Flight, which began in 2005 in Springfield, Ohio, began initially as a way to help a small group of veterans visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. Since the group started, it has spread to all 50 states and thousands of veterans have participated.

Evans, a Georgia Power retiree, spoke to the Exchange Club luncheon Friday. He said he took his first trip in November 2008 with a group of veterans from Fayetteville. A trip coming up on May 4 will include veterans from Rome, Cedartown and Cartersville along with others from all over the southeast.

“This really isn’t a long term project because so many World War II veterans are passing away every day,” Evans said. “So we’re trying to do as many trips as possible.”

Evans said those World War II veterans interested in participating must first fill out an application that must be verified before being added to a waiting list for a trip. Veterans are accompanied by volunteer guardians who help them throughout the day trip to Washington to see the memorial.

Honor Flight raises money through donations to pay for veterans travel, food, memorabilia and “memories that will last a lifetime,” according to Evans.

He said the typical cost per trip is $500. Volunteer guardians are required to pay their own way for the trip.

For more information on how to get involved locally with Honor Flight or to apply to go on a trip or be a guardian, visit www.honorflightnorthwestgeorgia.com