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SALT LAKE CITY — Three Boy Scouts on the Wasatch Front are working independently to add a special touch to homecomings for Utah Honor Flight veterans.
"These men have worked so hard to serve our country, and I think it's the least we can do to honor them and respect them," said Porter Farley of Sunset, who is raising money for American flags to present to the World War II veterans.
In just two weeks, Utah Honor Flights resume with four flights to Washington, D.C., this spring. The flights are an opportunity for the veterans to see the memorial dedicated to their sacrifices and the other war memorials in Washington.
Several Scouts decided this spring to honor veterans who will be on the flights for their Eagle Scout projects.
"I got a lot of support," said James Cope of Springville.
When he started to raise money to buy flags to present to Utah Honor Flight veterans at their return ceremony, he set a goal of $500. His car wash was a huge success, and his community responded with more than $1,600.
His neighbors showed the same gratitude he feels.
"I'm grateful for their service so that we can have our freedom," said James.
His great-grandfather, Ray Cope, will be on the Utah Honor Flight in two weeks, with his grandfather serving as guardian. Cope was fighting in the Philippines when the war ended.
I know that it cannot make up for the sacrifices they made. Giving these veterans a flag after they have gone to see the memorials and monuments to honor them shows them that we have not forgotten them, and we will not forget them.
–Porter Farley
"We were out on the front line for 62 days," he said. "Our troops fired all of their ammunition, destroyed their weapons and some of them left that night."
He's proud of his service and the way that his generation sacrificed when it was critical 70 years ago.
Travis Boyce of Holladay was the first Scout to contact Utah Honor Flight looking for a way to help.
"They're called the greatest generation for a reason," he said. "So, I just think it would be cool to honor them."
He and his friends washed cars to raise money for the flags. Travis also exceeded his fundraising goal. But after seeing a Utah Honor Flight story on KSL-TV, he thought it was a project that could make a difference for Utah veterans.
"We all kind of got the chills when we watched the story about Utah Honor Flight and what they're doing to honor the veterans," said his mother, Heather Boyce.
So Travis called Utah Honor Flight.
"I like history, and I like World War II stuff, and my dad is a history teacher," he said. "So I just thought it would be cool to honor the veterans for what they did for our country."
Each community responded with enough extra money to help sponsor veterans.
"I'm just really excited to be able to serve this way," said Porter, who is just getting started on his fundraising. "It's an amazing thing to be able to honor these veterans."
He's eager to reach out to his community to gather support for veterans who are running out of time to make the trip. There are fewer than 8,000 surviving World War II veterans in Utah.
"I know that it cannot make up for the sacrifices they made," Porter said. "Giving these veterans a flag after they have gone to see the memorials and monuments to honor them shows them that we have not forgotten them, and we will not forget them."
