Ford Fund Sends World War II Veterans to Visit World War II Memorial in D.C. on D-Day; Announces $278,000 Grant to DAV

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 6, 2013 – On the 69th anniversary of D-Day, which commemorates the landing of Allied troops in Normandy, Ford Motor Company Fund is sponsoring an Honor Flight for 26 World War II veterans from Kentucky and their guardians to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

 

Ford Fund also announces a $200,000 grant for purchase of another seven vehicles for DAV Transportation Network, bringing to 171 the total number of Ford-donated vehicles in the DAV fleet for transporting disabled veterans to medical appointments. Another $78,000 has been donated to DAV for its National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and other programs.

 

“As a veteran myself, it is an honor and privilege to travel to Washington, D.C., alongside these brave Americans who served our country nearly 70 years ago,” said Al Lindsey, manager, material planning and logistics at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant. “I hope this visit serves as a demonstration of the lasting impact of – and appreciation for – their historic sacrifice.”

 

The Honor Flight veterans, now in their late eighties and nineties, are being greeted at the National World War II Memorial by Ford employees. Members of Congress also have been invited. The veterans are visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial as well. The trip was organized by the Bluegrass Chapter of the Honor Flight Network.

 

Ford Motor Company’s assistance to veterans started more than 90 years ago. “Ford’s support of DAV goes back to the 1920s, when Henry Ford donated vehicles to transport World War I veterans to our second national convention,” said Marc Burgess, DAV national adjutant and CEO.

 

“Ford Motor Company Fund has made possible DAV’s Transportation Network, which links our nation’s heroes to life-saving care and honors their service,” he added. “They also underwrite the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship, which encourages volunteerism among future leaders. Ford Fund’s support of our World War II veterans is in keeping with its historic commitment to recognize the service and sacrifice of all veterans.”

 

Ford has supported memorial funds for several military memorials, including the National World War II Memorial, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

 

Ford Fund also is sponsoring a flight on June 19 through Honor Flight Cleveland, and a flight in September through Honor Flight Network of Kansas City. This represents more than $50,000 in financial support to Honor Flights this year, similar to the level of support Ford Fund contributed last year.

 

The Ford Veterans Network Group, one of the company’s corporately supported Employee Resource Groups, sponsors activities in support of its veterans, military personnel and their families. Ford employs more than 7,000 U.S. veterans.

 

# # #