Two busloads of local veterans loaded up two NY Trailways buses on Thursday morning, traveling for most of the day, to visit the military memorials in Washington, DC this weekend.
This will mark the 12th year that Assemblyman Steve Hawley has hosted the trip, which allows local veterans and their family members to visit a host of famous military memorials in the Washington D.C. area including Gettysburg and the U.S. Capital.
“This trip is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Hawley. “I look forward to engaging with our veterans and visiting places that are such an integral part of our nation’s history. It’s a small thank you to so many of our nation’s heroes.”
This is the 12th year for one of the bus drivers also. Mike Degaugh has been working with NY Trailways for 14 years and says he enjoys listening to the many stories from veterans during the trip.
He says they are stories he will remember for a lifetime.
The two buses were escorted from the Batavia Downs parking lot to the City line on Rt. 63 by Lee Sage of the Patriot Guard. The group will return on Sunday night at 6:00p.m.