DAKOTA CITY - A Humboldt County group is preparing what its members believe will be a tasty way to help World War II veterans take a special trip to Washington, D.C.
Sunday's roast beef dinner will be the latest fundraiser conducted by the Humboldt County Chapter of the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight. That group has raised about $38,000 this year for the effort to get World War II veterans to the national World War II Memorial.
''They've done just a bang-up job of raising dollars,'' said Ron Newsum, the Fort Dodge man who is the president of the committee that organizes the flights.
The local Honor Flight program serves Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster and Wright counties. Its leadership is in Fort Dodge. Humboldt County is the only county to have an organized chapter, which was established last September.
''It's our pleasure to help,'' said Chris Ramaekers, the chapter's president.
Marla Ramaekers is the chapter's secretary and Daryl Long is its treasurer.
''We've got a lot of active people,'' Long said. ''They're just doing it because they believe in it.''
He added that the chapter has received a lot of donations from individuals and service clubs.
The group's biggest fundraiser to date was a variety show modeled after the USO shows that entertained the troops during World War II. The performance, filled with singing and dancing, raised $3,800, according to Ramaekers.
He said Pasquale's Italian Restaurant in Humboldt held a pizza buffet dinner that raised $1,600.
Chapter members are now hoping good food will again produce some financial gain for the Honor Flight program.
They have scheduled a roast beef dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5240, 412 Main St., in Dakota City.
The main entree is beef that has been slowly roasted for one or two days by chapter member Phil Bastian. Mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls and drinks round out the menu. A freewill donation will be collected.
The chapter got started after members of the Humboldt County Republican Party began talking about supporting the Honor Flight program, according to Chris Ramaekers. He said it was quickly decided to make it a nonpartisan organization.
The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight group was established in the fall of 2009. Flights to Washington took off on May 1 and June 12. Another flight is scheduled for Sept. 25. About 100 veterans and 60 helpers called guardians go on every flight.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net
