Fundraising efforts are under way for the annual Covington Region Honor Flight, member Gary Petty said Tuesday.

Petty, who addressed the county commission at its Tuesday night workshop, said the board has about $14,000 on hand, but will need $25,000-$27,000 to make the trip.

There is space for 40 veterans and about 15 guardians and staff.

Some 14 veterans have already signed up for the free trip for veterans to see the World War II memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Korean and Vietnam memorials.

This year, organizers have extended the invitation to veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“If you are interested, I encourage you to get your name on the list,” Petty said.

This year’s flight will take place on May 19, and the group has secured a direct flight from Birmingham to Washington, D.C.

Petty said several churches have volunteered their church buses to take the veterans to Birmingham, but buses will be chartered for the Washington, D.C., tour.

Petty said the group will leave Andalusia around 1:30 a.m. The flight is scheduled to leave Birmingham around 6 a.m., and they should arrive in D.C. around 9 a.m. The group should arrive back in Birmingham around 9 p.m. and return to Andalusia around midnight.

Cost of the flight is around $475 per person, which includes flight, meals and snacks.

Petty said any donation would be appreciated.

All tax-deductible donations can be made to: Covington Region Honor Flight; c/o Covington County Commission; P.O. Box 188; Andalusia, AL36320.

To sign up, veterans may contact White at 334-222-2907 or the Veterans Affairs Office at 334-428-2687.