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Potsdam resident participates in 'Honor Flight' to visit war memorials in Washington D.C.

Posted 9/21/17

POTSDAM -- In early September Al Jones, a longtime resident of Potsdam, traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of an “Honor Flight” to visit war memorials. North Country Honor Flight is part of a …

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Potsdam resident participates in 'Honor Flight' to visit war memorials in Washington D.C.

Posted

POTSDAM -- In early September Al Jones, a longtime resident of Potsdam, traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of an “Honor Flight” to visit war memorials.

North Country Honor Flight is part of a nationwide movement to honor our nation’s veterans with a trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor.

The trip is free.

Al’s son, Alan R. Jones, traveled with him as his guardian.

“Many of the veterans return saying it was the best day of their lives,” said Laura Joney Kiely, Al’s daughter. “Others say it was life changing for whatever time they have left.”

Jones is a 1950 graduate of Adams Center High School and enlisted in the Marines where he served from 1950 to 1953 rising to the rank of sergeant. He received decorations and battle stars as an artillery leader while participating in combat operations in Korea from August 1951 to July 1952.

Jones went on to graduate from Saint Lawrence University and taught social studies for over thirty years at Potsdam Central School.

North Country Honor Flight is funded entirely by donations.

Their website, nchonorflight.org, has more details about how to sign up a veteran, how to donate, or how to get involved.

Their Facebook page has many photos and public reactions to the program at “The New North Country Honor Flight Page.”