Letters to be a Surprise for Honor Flight Participant Asa Simmons
“Want to help a veteran? Here’s a quick and easy way to make someone’s day amazing,” wrote Candace Delis on Facebook. Delis, founder of the Thomas Baer Veterans Memorial, is hoping to make one veteran’s day extra special.
Asa Simmons, a WWII veteran, joined the Marine Corps when he was 17, where he served as a radar technician.
“He originally contacted our organization through a volunteer to help with funeral planning and getting paperwork, and in the process we have gotten really close,” said Delis. “I wanted to do the letter writing campaign because I want Asa to see how much he is loved and appreciated.”
Simmons will participate in the National Honor Flight on April 24, and Delis’ goal is to have at least 91 letters waiting for him when he returns, one for each year of his life.
Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. The group transports veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials. On their return flight, veterans are surprised with letters from family, friends, and even strangers thanking them for their service.
“We meet a lot of veterans who feel forgotten – especially when we deliver our baskets at Christmas. Before we met Asa he was pretty much alone except for the people he talked to at the Brew Pub,” said Delis. “The people there treat him like family, too, which is pretty amazing to me.”
“I would like Asa to not only know how grateful people are for his service, but also to let him know he has many people who care about him,” she said.
Simmons has become close friends with Delis and her family, even joining them for Christmas dinner this year.
“It’s turned into an amazing friendship,” said Delis. “We have found that with several of the vets we have worked with.”
Send your letter BY APRIL 14 to:
Asa Simmons
c/o Never Forgotten Honor Flight
903 South 17th Ave
Wausau, WI 54401
Remember, the letters will be a surprise for Simmons and all of the veterans!
Learn more about the Thomas Baer Veterans Memorial Fund and how to help local veterans at their website, or by visiting them at their new downtown office at 252 S Central, #23.
