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WEST HAVEN, Weber County — Cameron Buckley likes soccer, spending time with his brothers and working on projects with his grandmother. But this 11-year-old is also working on fundraising projects for Utah Honor Flight.
"Just to thank them for what they did for our country," he said while he and his classmates at Kanesville Elementary in Weber County wrote letters to World War II veterans.
"I think it's really cool that they were patriots and willing to fight for our freedom," said Olivia Favero, one of Cameron's classmates.
The students thanked the veterans for their sacrifices and the freedoms they secured for all Americans. They'll deliver the letters to veterans in an area retirement home.
Ever since KSL partnered with Utah Honor Flight last spring, Utahn's have shown tremendous generosity for the state's World War II veterans. Many have donated to the program to help send veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Cameron decided to raise money for the project and came up with the idea all on his own, truly wanting to honor veterans. Cameron's father and grandfather are both Navy veterans. His mother said Cameron and his brothers were close to their "Grandpa Charlie."
"They grew up hearing those Navy stories, and just learning about the history of our country from their grandpa," said Cindi Buckley.
Cameron's grandfather, Charles Maurer, Jr., died two days before Christmas, but Cameron had already decided to support Utah Honor Flight.
If you wish to donate to Utah Honor Flight, visit their website.
"I was watching the news special on it," said Cameron, referring to the Utah Honor Flight Special on KSL-5 on Veterans Day.
"He just had tears in his eyes," said his mother. "I asked him if he was okay, and he said, 'Mom, I'm really interested in doing something special for our veterans.' "
Cindi Buckley contacted Utah Honor Flight to find our what Cameron could do, and they started by rolling up their sleeves in the kitchen.
Cameron and his mother baked Christmas cookies and sold them to friends and neighbors. He raised $430 with that round, and he plans to bake Valentine's Day cookies next month.
Cameron is also making a patriotic quilt with his grandmother.
"The best part is giving it, with all that love you've got in there, to give it to someone else," said "B.J." Maurer, Cameron's Grandmother.
They plan to hold a donation raffle for the quilt that will bring in even more money. He hopes to raise nearly $2,000. That's enough money to send two World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. this spring.
But when Cameron considers what the veterans did for America, he's thankful for their successful mission.
"So they could give our country freedom."
