Seven area World War II veterans are bound for Washington, D.C., today to visit the World War II Memorial, according to Tex Seamon, Otsego County's veterans counselor.
``They're really looking forward to it; it should be a good day,'' Seamon said.
The seven men are Arthur Snyder, Peter Martin and Mardon Sullivan of Fly Creek; Ernest Feola of Morris; Marshall Smith of Oneonta; Richard Burnett of West Davenport; and Marvin Zeh of Schenevus, Seamon said.
They, and more veterans from the region, are booked on a round-trip flight out of Albany, made possible by Leatherstocking Honor Flights, part of the national Honor Flights group.
``There will be 31 in the group and we hope to meet (former) Senator Dole while we're in Washington,'' Seamon said.
Dole, 86, is a World War II veteran, who served in the Army's 10th Mountain Division as a second lieutenant. He was seriously wounded during the war and received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his service.
Later, Dole served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and then the U.S. Senate. In 1996, he was the Republican nominee for president, and lost to incumbent Democrat Bill Clinton.
Seamon said that people who would like to help fund honor flights from the county may send checks to Charles West, American Legion Post 616, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.