Ford Motor Company has been an ardent supporter of U.S. veterans for nearly a century. Today, that support continues, with Ford sponsoring three Honor Flights to transport Cleveland-area veterans to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. There, the World War II Honor Flight veterans – all in their eighties and nineties – will be greeted at the national memorial by members of Congress and Ford employees.
Ford Fund is covering the cost of the trip to Washington, D.C. for 50 World War II veterans from Cleveland and other parts of Ohio to experience national memorials dedicated in their honor. The trip was organized by Honor Flight Cleveland — the northeast Ohio hub of the Honor Flight Network.
2014 marks the second year that Ford is supporting the flight, during which all veterans will be accompanied by a volunteer guardian, who is paying for their own trip. Frankie Lannaggi, former U.S. Marine and Process Coach at Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant, is volunteering to be a guardian for Wednesday’s flight.
“As a U.S. Marine, I am honored to participate in this great program and give back to the men and women who have given so much to our country and paved the way for the freedoms we have today,” said Lannaggi, “I am proud to be part of the Ford family who are recognizing these local veterans for their sacrifice and dedication.”
In addition to the WWII Memorial, the veterans and their guardians will also visit memorials dedicated to veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iwo Jima, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery.
The Ford Veterans Network Group is one of the company’s corporately supported Employee Resource Groups. It sponsors activities in support of its veterans, military personnel, and their families. Notably, Ford employs more than 7,000 U.S. veterans along with hundreds of active military personnel and U.S. reservists and guardsmen.
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