GREENVILLE, OH - Quite a few Darke County veterans have had the opportunity to participate in Honor Flight and travel to Washington, D.C. And, now thanks to Matt and AngieArnold of Financial Achievement Services, Inc. (FAS), of Greenville, more will be able to make the trip. 

The Arnolds who oftentimes donate their time and funds to causes not only for Greenville/Darke County-based charities and events, they also support causes throughout Ohio. Recently, they donated to a cause for the Veterans of Ohio, the RV Chapter of Honor Flight. 

This organization enables Ohio veterans to visit their memorials (World War Ill Vietnam Korean, lwo Jima, Women’s Memorial and Lincoln memorials as well as Arlington Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guards ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), and make a paper impression of their engraved name in Washington, D.C. They have chosen to support this cause due to their strong connections to current and former military personnel who are family, friends, and FAS clients. 

Their donation was made to the Ohio regional hub of the Honor Flight RV Chapter Network located in Springfield. The donation was used to help cover travel and meal expenses for Ohio veterans who made the trip to Washington, D.C. 

The 15th Honor Flight RV Chapter trip took place Aug. 1-3. A total of 26 Ohio veterans — eight from World War II and 18 from the Korean Conflict — were in attendance. Once in D.C attendees, in addition to visiting the memorials and Arlington Cemetery, were also able to spend some time at the Women’s Memorial. 

“The Honor Flight RV Chapter trip is a unique opportunity for local veterans regardless of age or financial situation to visit their national memorials,” commented Matt, FAS owner and president. “Many of our veterans would not be able to take a trip like this on their own and may never get to see the memorials that have been dedicated to them. These people deserve to see their heroism honored. That’s why my wife, Angie, and I feel fortunate that we are able to help them on their memorable journeys.” 

The Honor Flight Network has safely transported thousands of veterans from all across the United States, provided disability and travel accommodations, meals and transportation. The mission of the Honor Flight Network is transport America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials to honor their sacrifices. Top priority is given to America’s most senior veterans — survivors of World War II — and any veterans with a terminal illness who wish to visit their memorials. 

The Arnolds became acquainted with the program through clients of 15 years, Tom and Peggy Hill. 

“Tom is retired Air Force,” Matt said. “They are wonderful people and have become good friends over the years. We wanted to do something to support the veterans, They told us about their work with Honor Flight RV Chapter, where recreational vehicles take veterans to D.C. The Hills donate and drive their RV. We talked about it with them and said we’d like to help, so we decided to pay for gas and food for veterans in their RV. This opportunity lends itself to those veterans who may choose not to or are not able to fly.” 

The Arnolds went to Springfield at the recent Honor Flight and had breakfast with them. “We watched them all depart and wished them all a great time,” he said. “We met a 95-year-old former nurse who served in WWII, and because of the program, she was able to visit her memorial.” 

The Arnolds urge others to donate to the cause either through money or participation. Those interested in donating either way can call Angie at (937) 548-2210. To learn more about the Honor Flight Network, to apply, or how to get involved, visit www.HonorFlight.org or call (937) 521-2400. 

“We like to do community things, They’re important to us,’ Matt said. “Angie and I strongly support the Darke County Center for the Arts, Brethren Retirement Community, Greenville Municipal Concert Band in the park, the BackPack program, YMCA, Darke County Parks, Bears Mill, and now Honor Flight.” 

Matt has been with FAS for over 30 years, and Angie came on board June 2 this year as client care director. She had worked at Greenville National Bank for 32 years. The couple would like to go on an Honor Flight RV trip one of these days. They have been married for 29 years and are 1982 graduates of Greenville High School. 

The professionals at Financial Achievement Services, Inc. (FAS), at 5116 Children’s Home-Bradford Road, Greenville, have provided wealth management solutions to clients locally and nationally since 1978 when the firm was founded by Dan T. Franz, CFP. After joining FAS in 1984, Matt Arnold, CFP became owner and president in 2011. Arnold has worked side by side with Franz for 30 years and is committed to maintaining the excellence and integrity clients have come to expect from FAS. Arnold is a registered principal of Signator Investors and supervises 32 registered representatives and 19 registered branch offices throughout Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana and California. Matt Arnold and Dan Franz are Investment Adviser representatives with and Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors member FINRA, SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. Non-securities products and services are not offered through Signator Investors. Signator Investors is not affiliated with FAS. LD051637-11/14 

Linda Moody can be reached by calling direct at 569-4315. Be her friend on Facebook by searching her name. For more features online, go to advocate360.org or “like” The Daily Advocate on Facebook by searching Advocate360.