COLTON — Four local Vietnam veterans were honored by the community as they received a warm send-off for their Honor Flight to D.C. Friday afternoon.

Leo Grant and Roger Butch Murray of Potsdam, John Collins of Russell, and Ronnie Robert of Colton were recognized for their service as they prepared to leave on their all expense paid trip.

Their Honor Flight will take them from Plattsburgh to Washington, D.C., joining other veterans to view a variety of historical monuments and the Arlington Cemetery.

Send-off for the four veterans started with a large gathering of friends at Colton Amvets at noon. A parade of veteran motorcyclists, fire engines and police cars escorted the four veterans as they headed to Potsdam.

Several dozen Elks Lodge members and the community waved flags as they passed by. Large flags also lined the streets along their route in Potsdam.

“It’s probably one of the greatest honors I have had,” said Roger Butch Murray, as the vets awaited their send-off.
“It is quite an honor,” agreed Ronnie Robert.

“We just did what thousands of people had to do, but 58,000 soldiers didn’t make it back,” said Leo Grant.

Three more veterans were to be picked up in Fort Covington, and then the vets will be heading to Plattsburgh.

After a ceremony in Plattsburgh at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, the vets will be flying to Washington, D.C.

The Honor Flight schedule has a packed schedule once arriving in Washington. They plan to first visit the Marine Corps Monument and then Arlington National Cemetery, with the changing of the guards.

Then they will visit several memorials, including the WW II, Korean, Vietnam, Lincoln and Air Force Memorials.