First Bank is sponsoring 10 World War II veterans on Flight of Honor

The bank held a drawing during a reception Feb. 4 at its Broad Street branch in Southern Pines to pick the 10 veterans it will sponsor on a Flight of Honor, hosted by Triangle Flight of Honor.

The 10 winners are Wallace Schrontz, Jack Dauner, Ted Phillips, Edd Clay, Ed Conklin, Ed King, Dorothy Lockwood, Emerson Cole, Donald Fifield and Pauline Bethea. Through the bank's donation to Triangle Flight of Honor, each of these veterans will have the opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Triangle Flight of Honor is a nonprofit organization that annually honors WWII veterans with free trips to Washington, D.C., which include a charter flight to the capital and visits to the WWII, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and Air Force memorials.

"At First Bank, we strive to be good corporate citizens and are always looking for ways to give back to our community," said Johnny Burns, First Bank executive vice president. "Supporting Flight of Honor is a great way to recognize the veterans in our community who dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom."

Retired Air Force Lt. General Robert Springer, a member of First Bank's Southern Moore Local Advisory Board, first introduced the bank to Triangle Flight of Honor.

"So many World War II veterans never have the opportunity to visit the memorial built in their honor," Springer said. "Thanks to First Bank, at least 10 veterans here in Moore County will have that opportunity this spring."

"This is a wonderful contribution that the bank made," said Lockwood, a former army nurse who won one of the trips. "I think it is a terrific gift to our community."

The applications of veterans who registered for the drawing but who were not selected will be passed on to Triangle Flight of Honor and may be chosen for spots on upcoming flights.

To learn more about Triangle Flight of Honor, visit TriangleFlight-ofHonor.com.