WLB Hoops for Heroes supports veteran flights to D.C. memorials

 

[April 28, 2020] 

What do you do with four state ranked basketball teams as an encore celebration of the season? Well, if you are the West Lincoln Broadwell School you pay it forward by hosting a community event fundraiser. Funds from the Sunday, March 8th, afternoon went to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF).

LLHF hosts flights for veterans to visit Washington, D.C. Flights are scheduled monthly at no charge to veterans so that every veteran has a chance to see the national monument dedicated to his or her branch of the military. The one-day guided tours offer physical assistance as needed, food and drink, and other amenities.

Members of WLB seventh and eighth grade boys and girls basketball teams challenged Lincoln Police and Logan County Sheriff's Departments, city of Lincoln and Lincoln Rural Fire Departments to four go-a-rounds on the courts. The younger, energetic jazzed players shined in their post-season glory, while the short, 15 minute quarters may have left more than a few of their older competitors breathless, whether in awe or from exertion, you decide.

Also, pom squad and other students aided in cheering and singing patriotic songs and branch songs of the military in honor the veterans.

Several military groups were present, including an in uniform color guard who presented and sat courtside from the stage.

In addition to entry fees, there was a $1/half-court shot, 50/50 raffle and two signed State Championship basketballs auctioned.

The gym was packed and full of excitement and loaded with lots of fun moments. Lots of veterans were in the stands, some if uniform.

Special thanks were given to:

Marsha Fernandes
WLB Wolverine Nation
Fire and Police Departments
Marine Corps League Detachment 1336
Mike and Charlotte Horath
Patriot Riders - Mike Fulk
Joe Ryan
Mike Maske
Sew Personal

As crowd memories go, it was a terrific one to have to carry forward for the remainder of this school year.

On Monday, March 9, Illinois was reporting the first 11 cases of Covid-19. Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation, which included orders to practice social distancing of three feet.

[Jan Youngquist]



Land of Lincoln Honor Flight
http://www.landoflincolnhonorflight.
org/#/Home

ALERT - A message from the LLHF Board

National Honor Fight directives and social distancing requirements have resulted in cancellation of our April 7th and May 12th honor flights and, now, our June 16th flight. While we are saddened and concerned about the COVID19 pandemic's effect on the lives, livelihood and health of our community, we believe that cancellation of these flights is in the best public interest.

We miss you! We miss our Veterans, Guardians, volunteers, partners and community. But we're still here and we're still dedicated to serving our Veteran heroes in the safest possible way. So stay tuned: we will be monitoring developments over the early summer to make the "Go/No Go" decision on the status of our planned August 18th flight.

Until we can all gather again -- be safe, stay healthy and keep in touch. We'll see you soon!