By Vanessa Lenz
Staff Writer
One East Troy boy’s dream to help fund an outing for area veterans to attend the Field of Honor event at Miller Park Aug. 11 is starting to become a reality.
Rogelio Hayes, 12, of East Troy Boy Scout Troop 92 publicly announced his plans to organize the trip during East Troy’s Memorial Day Observance.
After months of planning, the Scouts’ goal to raise enough money to pay for every interested veteran and their families to go to the Field of Honor event is in reach.
Last week, the East Troy Village Board gave its stamp of approval for a send-off event on the village square for veterans and their families prior to the event on Aug. 11.
The Village Square will be a staging area for the group to meet and load the buses as well as a drop off point after the Field of Honor event at Miller Park.
The ceremony will include a flag retirement, patriotic music and public speakers beginning at 1 p.m.
Streets will remain open, but the troop will block off some of the parking spaces around the square for its bus and shuttle.
Roger Hayes, Boy Scout Troop 92 treasurer said he expects about 100 people to be in attendance.
“At this time, we have a total of 45 veterans, spouses and family members joining us as well as 15 volunteers,” he said.
“The community is buzzing with excitement at this opportunity to honor our local veterans.”
Village trustees agreed to waive the $390 in special event fees.
Following the ceremony on the square, East Troy’s veterans will attend “Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation,” which will feature World War II re-enactors, live music and a tailgate in the stadium parking lot beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The program will include a veteran’s tribute and the world premiere of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight documentary film, “Honor Flight,” followed by fire-works and a flyover.
Veterans will also have a chance to view the “Pillars of Honor” World War II model memorial.
Proceeds from the Field of Honor event will go to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, which takes World War II veterans on expeditions to the national war memorials in Washington, D.C.
Stars and Stripes, was formed in 2008 to make the Honor Flights possible. Officials at the Port Washington-based organization said each flight costs about $250,000.
Once more than 16 million strong, U.S. veterans of World War II are dying at a rate of more than 1,000 a day, according to the Department of Veterans Public Affairs estimates. This adds to the urgency of the Honor Flight’s mission.
Tickets for Field of Honor are $11 per person plus service fees.
To make a contribution to Troop 92’s outing or for more information, call Michele Reyes, committee chair, at (414) 640-9728 or Scoutmaster Dan Donegan at (414) 329-0525.
To RSVP for the East Troy Field of Honor trip, email Troop92fieldofhonor@gmail.com.
