Rep. Carl Albrecht raises money for Utah Honor Flight

Content contributed by the Richfield Reaper.
Veterans are some of our nation’s greatest heroes. They served during times of war, not knowing if they would ever return.
An immeasurable debt is owed to those who served in harm’s way to defend the freedoms we enjoy today. We have a responsibility to show gratitude to our nation’s veterans. Rep. Carl Albrecht spearheaded a fundraising drive at the Utah House of Representatives, which raised over $13,000 of their own money for the Utah Honor Flight program. The program sends veterans to our nation’s capital to tour war memorials built in memory of their service. The trip for some veterans may be the only opportunity to visit the memorials as well as pay their respects to friends lost in combat. Veterans who participate in the Honor Flight program do so at no cost to them.
Rep. Carl Albrecht invited the Utah Honor Flight Chairman Mike Turner and a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Ron Thorn to visit the majority caucus to share information about the program during the 2018 session.
Each year, the Utah Honor Flight program sends veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to the conflicts they fought in. Including the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial at the National Mall.
“Sending servicemen and women to D.C. to visit their memorials is a great cause,” said Rep. Albrecht. “It’s the least we can do to honor the sacrifice they have given to our country to preserve our freedoms.”
The money raised was given to Turner.
Thank you to all veterans for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. We are grateful for your service, sacrifice and dedication.
The effort raised more than $13,000 for the Utah Honor Flight program.
“Both sides of the aisle contributed to this great cause to send servicemen and women to D.C.,”
This particular fundraising effort occurred after Mike Turner and Ron Thorn, Vietnam veteran, visited the Utah House Republican Caucus in February at Albrecht’s invitation. While the majority of the Utah House contributed, Albrecht extends a special recognition to Representative Brad Wilson, Kaysville, who personally contributed $5,000.
The Utah Honor Flight charity started in 2005 initially as a way to help World War II veterans see the memorial to their war. The program has progressed and honor flights have been hosted for veterans of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
The Utah Honor Flight’s headquarters are located in Richfield. For more information or to donate to the organization’s efforts, contact Turner at (435) 272-0254 or log onto utahhonorflight.org.