Local WWII veterans John Musgrove, Oscar "Doc" Evans and Cliff Phillips recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C.

Veterans return from visit to Washington

Four Alleghany residents, including three veterans, had the opportunity to go to Washington and visit different memorials. Janis Fender with the Alleghany Senior Center joined veterans Oscar "Doc" Evans, John Musgrove and Cliff Phillips as they ventured from Sparta to Charlotte and from Charlotte to Washington last month.

Veteran Musgrove joined the Navy in 1937 and was in Hawaii when the Japanese attack took place at Pearl Harbor. Phillips served in the Army Air Corps from 1945 until 1949 and Evans served the Army from 1943 to 1945. Meanwhile, Fender has relatives who are veterans, including a nephew, Phil Phillips. Phillips served in the First and Third Ranger Battalions, as an officer in the Honor Guard, at the Pentagon for two years and retired at West Point.

The April 18 trip, named "The Flight of Honor," gave World War II veterans the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. and see sites including the World War II Memorial among others.

Phillips explained the venture, which included an orientation in Mooresville, was free-of-charge to the veterans who were interested in going and were able to go.

During the orientation in March, the attendants met Jeff Miller of Hendersonville, who came up with the idea of bringing veterans to see the World War II Memorial in 2005. They also met with Robert Wilson, the Rotary District Governor of District 7680.