Beatrice VFW raising funds for Honor Flights for veterans

The Beatrice VFW is asking people to come and eat to raise money to send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., on Honor Flights.

The Beatrice VFW Post 1077 is hosting three fundraisers next week to help raise money to send Nebraska World War II veterans on the Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., Tim Fralin, VFW junior vice commander, said.

“We thought this would be a good fundraiser to put on, support these guys and get them out to see the memorials,” Fralin said.

The National Honor Flight program offers Nebraska and Western Iowa World War II Veterans a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., to see the WWII, Iwo Jima, Korean and Vietnam memorials.

The Honor Flights is something the members of the VFW want to see happen, Fralin said.

Each flight to Washington, D.C., costs $75,000, Fralin said. The first flight was taken on May 21 and the next is scheduled on July 8 from Lincoln.

The VFW is hosting a breakfast on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The breakfast is a buffet for $7 and will serve a variety of items, including eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, omelets and biscuits.

On Wednesday, the VFW Auxiliary is hosting their monthly spaghetti feed with proceeds going to the honor flights. The dinner is $5.50 with all you can eat spaghetti, salad and desserts.

Friday, June 6, will be a special night of dancing, food and drink, raffles and music by the Joker Band, sponsored by Northeast Auto Sales and Hartig Electric, at the VFW hall. The club will open at 5 p.m. with a free will offering taco/nacho bar, drink specials and the band starting at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go toward the Honor Flights.

“We look for this to be a huge night, a successful night,” Fralin said.

Despite the club restaurant being closed, the VFW is trying to be as active as possible in the community, especially with monthly breakfasts and spaghetti feeds.

“We’re still going to be active in the community,” Phil Dittbrenner, VFW Post Commander, said. “We can still do other things to help veterans out.”