A local charity is asking members of the public to cheer on World War II veterans as they embark on a trip to Washington, D.C., in May.

Honor Flight of Southern Colorado, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit that sends World War II and terminally ill veterans on free trips to the Capitol to tour war memorials, will send its third flight of veterans May 31.

Members of the public are asked to gather at the lobby of The Radisson Hotel, 1645 N. Newport Road, at 3 a.m. to cheer the 16 veterans and their escorts as they board a bus for Denver International Airport.

The bus will be escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, a patriotic motorcycle club, trip organizer Lana Fore-Warkocz said in a news release.

“It’s truly something to witness,” she said.

To donate to the nonprofit or to have a veteran put on a waiting list for a trip, visit www.honorflightsoco.org.