‘Most outstanding trip’: Over the Edge Taphouse at Crooked River Ranch holding car show to raise funds for veterans

(Update: Adding comments from owner, veteran, Honor Flight of C.O.)

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) --  A taphouse in Crooked River Ranch honored military veterans with a fundraiser on Saturday. At Over the Edge Taphouse, the parking lot was flooded with vibrant classic colored cars for its Cruise-In for a Cause Car Show.

The event was a fundraiser for the nonprofit Honor Flight of Central Oregon, which takes World War II, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans back to Washington, D.C., to visit the monuments and memorials in their honor

"It just means a lot to get the veterans back to Washington, D.C., see the memorials that have been built in their honor for the conflicts that they've fought in, and hopefully help with some healing as well," Rodney Edwards, Honor Flight of Central Oregon's vice president, said Saturday.

The Honor Flight program also holds a special place for Lynnelle Morgan, the owner of the taphouse's heart. Her dad was an Honor Flight participant in 2021.

"My dad's my hero, and he's America's hero," she said. "He's a decorated veteran of the Army for Vietnam. Anything we can do, Over the Edge Taphouse, to give back to our veterans, we're going to do it."

Army veteran Greg Turnbow served said, "My wife at that time was fortunate to go with me, and we've seen every memorial in the military they can see back there, and it is probably one of the best -- well, there's no doubt it is the most outstanding trip I've ever done in my life."

Veterans get to experience the trip for free, paid for the efforts of donations and fundraising.  

In D.C., veterans will see and reflect on the Washington Monument, the Vietnam and Korean Wall, and the World War II Memorial. 

Edwards added, "A big welcome home again, something that they never - especially the Vietnam veterans, never received the true welcome home when they came home from war."

Veterans can sign up for an Honor Flight trip or get involved as volunteer. You can find that information on the Honor Flight of Central Oregon website.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/422107650315924

Event Website: https://www.redmondcarshows.com/events/over-the-edge-car-show-2024