A plan to fly about 100 World War II veterans from the Fort Dodge area to see the national World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., next spring is proving to be a hit with former service members.

''The Honor Flight is alive and well,'' said Ron Newsum, the president of the committee organizing the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.

''The veterans that we're talking to are very enthusiastic about going,'' he added.

Newsum and the other members of the committee are now working to secure the $90,000 needed to pay for the trip.

''We're encouraging little fundraisers all over,'' Newsum said.

The local Honor Flight plan calls for about 100 veterans and 60 volunteer helpers called guardians to depart from Fort Dodge Regional Airport on the morning of May 1, 2010. The group will travel to the nation's capital, where they'll board buses for a visit to the World War II Memorial and other landmarks. The group will then return to Fort Dodge that night.

Veterans must apply for a seat on the flight. Newsum said more than 200 applications from 41 communities have been received so far.

Applications are available online at webstercountyia.org and at local veterans affairs offices.

Veterans from Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster and Wright counties will receive priority for seating on the flight.

The veterans won't have to pay for the flight. In fact, Newsum said flight organizers won't accept money from them.

Volunteer guardians will have to pay $600.

The planned trip is part of the national Honor Flight program which has taken more than 25,000 veterans to the World War II Memorial.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net