MUSCATINE, Iowa —Volunteers are working hard to bring in money for Muscatine’s second World War II Honor Tour sponsored by American Legion Post 27.

“This is a trip of a lifetime for many of these people and a life-changing experience for others,” said coordinator Pam Ramer of the Post 27 Auxiliary.

The goal is to allow men and women from the area who served in WWII to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

About $15,000 is still needed to send 30 WWII veterans on the all-inclusive trip, which will cost an estimated $35,000.

This year’s trip will take place May 13-16.

On Iowa’s first Honor Tour in October 2008, 30 WWII veterans from the Muscatine area took the journey. The trip was funded entirely by donations from the Muscatine area.

The total cost per veteran is about $1,000, which includes airfare, hotel, meals, a guided tour through Washington, D.C., and admission to many memorials in the D.C area.

“There is no better way to tell our veterans ‘thank you’ for their sacrifices,” Ramer said.

The American Legion Post 100 in Columbus Junction is also helping raise money and awareness about the trip.

In addition to visiting the WWII Memorial, last year’s event took veterans to the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, museums, historical sites such as Arlington National Cemetery and the apartment where President Abraham Lincoln died after being shot in Ford’s Theatre.

Jake Hawley, a film and documentary producer, formerly from Muscatine now living in San Francisco, will record the event.

Ramer said there is a waiting list for a third Honor Tour event that could be held at a later date, but she is not sure it will take place.

“It depends on fundraising. If Muscatine continues to support the Honor Tour, we want to send every World War II veteran while we still have the opportunity,” Ramer said.

Fundraisers

Many fundraisers for the World War II Honor Tour will take place before the send-off date on Wednesday, May 13, including:

- Yard sale and bake sale —

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 and

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the American Legion, 110 S. Houser St., Muscatine

n Junior Auxiliary pop can collection

— Drop off pop cans at the American Legion any time. Proceeds will go to the tour.

- To make a tax-deductible donation, make checks payable to WWII Honor Tour and mail them to

American Legion Post 27

Attn: Pam

110 S. Houser St.

Muscatine, IA, 52761