HARTFORD, Conn. -- More than 100 World War 2 veterans from New England will be heading to Washington, D.C., on Saturday to visit the memorial honoring their service.

The trip was organized and paid for by Connecticut based American Warrior.

American Warrior was organized in 2007 to get as many World War 2 veterans down to the memorial in Washington D.C. as possible. On Saturday 104 more veterans from New England will be making the trip.

Jack O’Neil joined the Navy in 1942 and served on the destroyer USS Nicholas. One of his most memorable moments was being on board on the day that the Japanese Surrendered.

O’Neil said, “We escorted the Missouri into Tokyo Bay and the day of the surrender we carried 87 allied representatives to the Missouri for the surrender ceremony. So, it’s really great to be a part of history.”

Christopher Coutu started American Warrior after visiting the memorial in 2007. He realized that what was missing, were the veterans who served in the war. He resolved to get as many veterans there as possible, and time was not on his side.

Coutu said, “The reality is, is that the veterans are passing at a quick rate, over 1,000 a day nationally, that’s like one a minute.”

American Warrior raises the money and makes the arrangements. Half of the group leaving on Saturday will be in wheelchairs, with a lot of help from volunteers.