WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the eighth grade class at Grizzell Middle School in Dublin for raising $20,000 to help local veterans participate in the Honor Flight program. Students began raising money after a trip to Washington, D.C. where they met with World War II veterans. As a result of their efforts, nearly 50 more veterans will travel from Columbus to Washington, D.C. on May 17 to visit the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War memorials, Arlington National Ceremony, and the Iwo Jima memorial.

Brown recorded a video greeting for students, which can be viewed here.

“The students of Grizzell Middle School exemplify the importance of community service and the respect and gratitude that Ohioans have for our nation’s Armed Forces. The Honor Flight Network program helps bring our veterans to visit their memorials—memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice,” Brown said. “As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, it is an honor to fight to ensure that these veterans have access to the resources needed to heal, recover, and continue to enrich the Ohio communities that they live in today.”

The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that helps transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated in honor of their service and sacrifice. According to the organization, top priority is given to America's most senior veterans — survivors of World War II and veterans with a terminal illness who wish to visit their memorial.

Brown, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has convened field hearings around Ohio to examine how the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) can better serve veterans in rural areas and cities across Ohio. He is the author of several legislative initiatives that would strengthen our nation's commitment to veterans by improving education reimbursements and expanding employment protection for former service members. Brown has held more than 200 community events since being sworn into office in 2007—holding at least one roundtable discussion with community leaders in each of Ohio's 88 counties. Many of Brown's legislative priorities, including his jobs initiatives, originated from these discussions.

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