Donor gives vets $24K

An anonymous donor has pledged $24,000 to send a group of World War II veterans to see the war's memorial in Washington, Utah's Department of Veterans Affairs director Terry Schow said Wednesday.

But the pledge is pending matching donations by Friday, and on Wednesday a total of $10,000 had been raised, leaving $14,000 more to go. A total of about $150,000 is needed to make the trip free for the veterans.

A group of more than 100 WWII vets from Utah was supposed to see the memorial last May, but a funding debacle dashed their hopes of a spring visit. The goal now for the nonprofit group Operation Hero Flight is to get those men on a flight sometime next month.

"It's looking very likely we're going to go," Schow said on the phone. "I feel pretty optimistic."

Anyone interested in donating is asked to visit any Wells Fargo Bank location, call 801-623-6988 or donate online at www.heroflight.com.