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Fundraiser pays for trip for World War II vets

OKLAHOMA CITY — Fifty World War II veterans from LeFlore and Sequoyah counties will travel to Washington, D.C., this weekend to visit a memorial to their generation.

“Most of these men are in their 80s and 90s, and many would never have seen the World War II Memorial because of their health,” said state Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, who spearheaded a fundraiser that generated $84,000 to finance the three-day trip.

Sonny Davis, 84, was a prisoner of war of the Japanese for three years after Corregidor in the Philippines fell when American troops ran out of ammunition and food. Now a resident of Talihina, Davis said he’s looking forward to his trip to the memorial.

Of his time in a Japanese prison camp, Davis said: “I am a religious fellow, and I have to forgive them.”

Corn was joined in the fundraising effort by Democratic state Reps. Bud Smithson of Sallisaw and Neil Brannon of Arkoma.

Corn said the bulk of the money came from schoolchildren.

Other donations came from fire departments, community leaders and private individuals in Sequoyah and LeFlore counties.

Corn said the single biggest donor was from the Choctaw Nation, which gave $3,200.

He said the tribe also is providing buses to take the veterans to and from Tulsa International Airport.

The veterans, who represent all branches of service, will meet in Poteau early Friday and then travel to Tulsa to catch two flights to Washington. They will return Monday night.

Corn said he, Brannon and Smithson will host the tour, and others joining the veterans will include some of their wives, volunteers, nurses and aides.

The money raised will finance the expenses for only the 50 veterans, while all the others — 17 in all — will pay their own way, he said.

Corn said many war memorials will be on the tour agenda, but the biggest attraction will be the National World War II Memorial.

Corn said a camera crew from Carl Albert Junior College in Poteau will film the events and then give DVDs to the veterans and donors.