One Veteran on Honor Flight will receive a surprise from Merced students

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- One of the World War II veterans who is in Washington, D.C. right now as part of the Central Valley Honor Flight will get a special treat during his trip home Wednesday.

First graders at Stowell Elementary School in Merced wrote letters of appreciation to John Fries last week. He's one of more than 60 local veterans who left Fresno Monday morning for a chance to see their memorials in our nation's capital.

One of the honor flight volunteers is friends with teacher Kristen O'Neill and asked if her students would like to write special messages to Mr. Fries.

He will receive those handwritten notes during mail call shortly after take-off Wednesday when the Honor Flight returns to the Valley.

Mrs. O'Neill said this was a great lesson in social studies and writing, and it also helped her students learn about the importance of honoring our veterans.