Watco Shirt Sales Benefit Honor Flight

Watco Shirt Sales Benefit Honor Flight

On Independence Day, U.S. citizens celebrate freedom. That freedom has been protected throughout the years by many men and women in the military. Although we can never repay them for their sacrifices, we at Watco try to find ways to support our veterans. One project is our annual Independence Day T-shirt fundraiser. Watco offers a unique tee to commemorate the holiday, with the proceeds from the sales benefiting an organization supporting military veterans. This year, Watco selected the Honor Flight Network as the beneficiary of the sales. The Honor Flight Network provides military veterans with an all-expenses-paid trip to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C. It allows them to share the trip with other veterans, reminisce about their time in the military, and honor the comrades they lost.

Vietnam Veteran Leonard Urban, originally from Topeka, Kansas, and now living in the Kansas City metro area, was able to go on an Honor Flight through the organization’s Honor Flight of Kansas City, Missouri, and was amazed by the crowds of people that welcomed the veterans with cheers and thanks wherever they would go.

“While on the Honor Flight in May 2017, I felt rewarded for my service in the U.S. Navy (1964-1968). I was overwhelmed at the kindness and consideration of all who took part,” said Urban. “I enjoyed becoming acquainted with the other veterans on the flight. It was nice to share our military experiences. It was certainly a day I will never forget.”

Thanks to all the Watco team members and others, who ordered a total of 877 T-shirts, which resulted in a $4,595 donation to the Honor Flight Network. “On behalf of the Honor Flight Network, thank you to all of the wonderful Watco employees who supported our nation’s veterans via the shirt sales,” said Carol Harlow, Honor Flight Network Chief Communications Officer. “We hope everyone will consider reaching out to the veterans in their life and encourage them to participate in an upcoming Honor Flight. They can find the hub closest to them by clicking on ‘Regional Hubs’ at honorflight.org”.