John Hanford Memorial Honor Flight
Oct. 20th 2009

September 2, 2009 News release: Senator Elizabeth Dole pays tribute to her brother, the late John Van Hanford, Jr., with the announcement of the “John Hanford Memorial Flight” directed by Rotary District 7680 Flight of Honor, a proud member of the Honor Flight Network.

The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization, which takes WWII veterans to our nation’s capitol to see their memorial, free of charge. Senator Elizabeth Dole's generous donation to the Rotary District 7680 Flight of Honor, in honor of her brother, a WWII Veteran, who passed away in the spring of 2008, will assure that hundreds more of the Charlotte area heroes will get to see their memorial.

Members of the John Hanford Memorial Flight will depart Charlotte, NC aboard a US Airways Charter on Tuesday, October 20th. To date, the Honor Flight Network has taken over 30,000 WWII veterans to visit the “Jewel of the Mall,” the WWII Memorial.

We are losing over 1,000 of America’s most senior veterans every day. Time is not on their side. These trips are supported by public donations. For more information about how you can donate or participate, go to www.honorflight.org

Senator Elizabeth Dole issued the following statement on the John Hanford Memorial Flight:

“My beloved brother, John, entered the United States Navy immediately upon graduating from Duke University, just a few months after his 20th birthday. He served first on the aircraft carrier USS Windham Bay and then on the world’s largest carrier, the USS Saratoga.

John passed away on April 7, 2008. If he were here, he would join World War II veterans from his home areas, Salisbury and Charlotte, on this flight because of his great respect for the sacrifices made by so many and his tremendous patriotism and love of country. I am the little sister who idolized him, and I am proud to sponsor an Honor Flight in loving memory of John.

I remember well the little Wave uniform Lt. Hanford brought me when he came home to Salisbury on “survivor’s leave.” Twice the “Sara” had been struck by torpedoes fired by enemy submarines and forced to retire for repairs. Her heaviest damage was suffered near Iwo Jima when she was struck by seven bombs and five Kamikaze planes. Fires and explosions ripped the ship as her gunners fought back and her repair crews struggled to control the damage. The Saratoga survived, but 123 of John’s shipmates gave their lives and over 300 were injured.

John was from a generation that rarely discussed their war experiences, but their legacy is clear. They saved America and the world for freedom and democracy. May generations to come always remember and thank God for their service and sacrifice.

My heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Clubs of District 7680, the Salisbury and Charlotte Rotary Clubs, and my friend, Jeff Miller, co-founder of Honor Flight Network, who will be working with the Rotary District to direct this flight.”