Tulsa Fifth Graders Say 'Thank You' To World War II Vets

Rick Wells, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Memorial Day is of course the day we honor those who have given their lives in service of our country.

There are some fifth graders in Tulsa who have taken time to honor a group, still living, to whom we can't say thank you often enough.

Fifth graders at Jarman Elementary in South Tulsa have been writing thank you letters and cards to World War Two veterans. It's part of Project Mail Call, thank you notes to accompany the veterans on the next honor flight to Washington D.C.

"A way to say thank you 65 years in the making," said State Representative Eric Proctor.

The democratic Representative is the honor flight coordinator for Eastern Oklahoma.

"This trip will make 400 World War II veterans from Oklahoma who've made the trip to Washington DC to see their memorial," Proctor said.

Winifred Dudley and Arles Cole are here along with honor flight representatives to pick up the letters the students have written. He says all the thank yous are a bit overwhelming.

"It was an honor and a privilege to service this country," Cole said.

He was able to share some of his Pearl Harbor experiences with the kids who sat spellbound listening to what, up to then, must have seemed like ancient history to them.

For her part Winifred Dudley said the kind of spirit exhibited by these kids is the same spirit that keeps us free generation after generation.

"It's not just the Armed forces, it's the people that pull together and honor the US and uphold our flag and our country," Dudley said.

The students made posters and banners as well as the cards. More than a hundred Veterans will make the flight June 8, 2011.

Time is running short to get World War II veterans to D.C. They estimate 40 percent of those on next week's flight will be in their 90's.

Go to the Oklahoma Honor Flights website