OXFORD – When Greg Furlong visited the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford in April, he wore a T-shirt. The back read: “If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.”

It isn’t just lip service. The Cobleskill resident feels strongly about honoring the 16 million Americans who served in the military during World War II. He has made it a personal mission to see that these veterans get their due.

“Had they not sacrificed so much, endured for so long, prevailed so decisively ... the world we live in would be very, very different than the one we live in today,” said Furlong, who is president of Leatherstocking Honor Flight.

Based in Schoharie County, the organization is part of the Honor Flight Network, a nationwide effort which makes it possible for WWII vets to visit Washington and see the memorial dedicated in their honor at no cost to them.

The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. opened to the public in 2004. It is dedicated in memory of the nearly 420,000 service men and women who died for their country during the war, and in honor of all those who served. Unfortunately, by the time it opened, many of the veterans it was intended to honor were well into their 80s, and lacked the physical and/or financial ability to see it for themselves. That’s where the Honor Flight Network comes in. Founded in 2005, the organization now has 92 hubs in 33 states, including five in New York.

“We’ve taken collectively up to 50,000 WWII veterans to see the memorial,” said Furlong.

In its 2 1/2 years in operation, the Leatherstocking hub itself has taken 11 trips and transported more than 300 veterans to DC.

The one-day excursion isn’t just about visiting the memorial, though. Participants get what Furlong described as the “rock star treatment.”

They depart Schoharie County by motorcade, complete with motorcycle and police escort. And when they arrive at the airport in Albany, there is a ceremony in their honor.

“It’s designed to set the tone for the day,” he explained.

The veterans are treated with “kid gloves” by the TSA and Southwest Airline. The Honor Flight contingent numbers around 54, usually, and takes up half the airplane. Once in flight, each veteran is introduced to rounds of applause by their fellow passengers. They get a similar heroes welcome at Baltimore Washington International Airport, where they are greeted by current day service people and often a band.

“They are overwhelmed by it,” Furlong said.

From there, participants and the Guardians that pay their own way to guide them head to the WWII memorial. This, too, is an emotional experience.

“One of the most powerful things that happens at the memorial, is that people will come up to the vets and talk to them and thank them,” Furlong said.

Other stops include the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, where they visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. According to Furlong, there is always a tell-tale dragging of the foot during the changing of the guard at the tomb in their presence.