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.