CLINTON — The Battle Cross Crusaders program, whose Veterans Day tribute last year brought in over 150 people, is organizing its 3rd annual Veterans Day salute by offering a free 45-minute airplane ride this Saturday for any DeWitt County military veteran who was honorably discharged. The event will take place at  Nelson Thorp’s airfield from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

There will be four airplanes attending and a biplane, weather permitting.

The event also will feature the release of  Clinton resident, U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, Gary Riegel’s song, written by a group of Nashville songwriters, which will be coordinated with a video The Battle Cross Crusaders made named “Hole in the Ground.”

They will also presnt a quilt of valor as well for a local veteran.

They also will release Ron Jett’s song.  Jett is a Vietnam veteran, and, like Reigel, went to Vietnam in place of his brother.

“After our event had to be split up at the last minute due to some safety concerns at the original venue last year causing a split venue after we organized the entire event, we decided to do our own event with free flights again like we did in 2022, and The Battle Cross Crusaders program is looking forward to honoring our veterans in a safe, fun environment they deserve, said Battle Cross Crusaders founder Jeff Morlock.”

This is limited to the first 40 veterans who RSVP, with preference given in order of service beginning with WW2 veterans, Korea veterans, and Vietnam veterans.  But all veterans are encouraged to attend.

Every veteran who attends will be given information about how to have a song written to their account of their service for free by the Nashville songwriters.

RSVP by contacting [email protected] as there are a few spots left.

It will be a pot luck meal, so bring a covered dish, appetizer or dessert.

Jeff can be reached at (217) 853-2530.