Here’s a reminder that you can help send-off area veterans as they prepare to depart for their Honor Flight to Washington, D-C this (Monday) evening. Event Coordinator Steve Livengood says residents of Atlantic and anyone else who wants to receive and wave an 8×10-inch American flag while the veterans’ motorcade passes, can gather at any one of numerous locations along the route.

The buses and their motorcycle escort will leave the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic at approximately 7:30-p.m. and turn left (west) onto 10th Street. The motorcade will then turn east onto 7th Street and travel through Atlantic before continuing east on Highway 6 through Wiota and Anita on the way to the exit near Adair.

You may wave your own flag, or receive one of about 2,000 complimentary flags that will be available at the following distribution points:

10th street and Highway 6; Lindeman Tractor/skating rink; The Atlantic City Park; Iowa Western Community College; Ann Wickman Child Care Center; 7th and Gade Insurance; the former Custom Auto Body & Sound building on 7th Street; Orscheln Farm & Home; the Hy-Vee Food Store; Wal-Mart Supercenter; Nishna Valley Cycle and Outfitters Plus…all in Atlantic.

In Wiota, at the Post Office and Wiota Methodist Church. In Anita, at the Anita Public Library/City Ark, and at the Jesse James Monument off Highway 6 near Interstate 80. Plan to arrive about 6:30 PM to find your place along the route.

The 150 veterans on the Honor Flight are from all branches of the military. 84 are from Atlantic, 120 are from Cass County, including Atlantic. The oldest is 93, the youngest is 31. There are four women and 146 men who will be making the trip. The veterans will spend the night in Des Moines before departing at Sunrise Tuesday their flight to D. C.