Columbia, SC (WLTX)- The Daughters of the American Revolution presented a Medal of Honor for Americanism Wednesday to a man who has led 2000 South Carolina veterans on 21 honor flights to the Nation's capital.
Bill Dukes said he was humbled to receive the honor, but he credits the community who has raised over a million dollars in support for the flights.
"They made the contributions that allowed us to do the 22 honor flights and maybe well do 23."
Sylvia Waldron with the DAR presented the award to Dukes at the South Carolina Lace House.
"We're giving it to him because of his outstanding contribution to our community, state and nation," she said.
Dukes wanted to give vets the chance to fly there, regardless of financial and physical difficulties.
"Many of them came back home after WWII and the Korean war, and they just went right to work," he said. "They never got a hero's welcome home."
It all started through inspiration by his father, a World War II vet who had never visited the WWII memorial in DC.
"That's why I have my photograph wall in my restaurant," Dukes said. "I can say hello to him every time I come into the restaurant. I want him to be proud of what I'm doing, and I believe he is."
The project has since expanded to take veterans of the Vietnam and Korean wars as well.
Applications are submitted online, and it is at no cost to the veterans. This October, 100 veterans will take the 22nd honor flight from the Midlands.
