World War II Vet Leads Hundreds Into The Pledge Of Allegiance

In honor of his Honor Flight experience, 96-year-old World War II veteran Paul Monnette, accompanied by his guardian, Marie Gilmore, opened the June 25 Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce meeting in salute, with his recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Having turned 96 just two days earlier, Monnette said his Honor Flight trip to the nation's capitol "was so organized, and handled so well."

"We saw everything in Washington D.C. and they thought of everything," said Monnette, who retired from the U.S. Navy in 1945.

Monnette said he "was never on a ship," that he was "a soundman stationed on Fisher's Island," off Long Island, New York.

What You Need To Know About The Honor Flight Network

• It is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices.

• "We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials."

• Top priority is given to the senior veterans — World War II survivors, along with terminally ill veterans.

• As noted on the group's Web site: "Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out."