SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. -- Students in Sun Prairie kicked off their effort on Wednesday to help local veterans make a trip to Washington, D.C.

The effort is part of the Badger Honor Flight program, in which World War II veterans are taken to Washington to see the monument being built in their honor.

During Wednesday's ceremony at Sun Prairie High School, veterans met with the students working hard to help finance the trip.

Veterans bridged the generation gap during the event by showing pictures and sharing stories of their wartime experiences with history students.

The students are working to raise $2,500 to fill five seats on the flight.

The trip is a dream some of these veterans said they never thought would come true.

"We're all in our 80s, 90s now and never thought that we would be taken to see it, but somebody really cared and set up this whole procedure. It's wonderful," said Annette Howards, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Zach Henderson, a Sun Prairie High School junior, said that the effort is meant to repay a kind of debt.

"Without them, we really wouldn't be able to be here today, and I think that it's very important that we do everything we can to appreciate and celebrate and honor the service they've given to our nation. And this is a great way to do that," he said.

Students are making T-shirts to sell for $10 a piece to help reach their fundraising goal. Their efforts are just beginning, but they've already raised $500, WISC-TV reported.

Those involved with the fundraising project at the high school said they hope their actions encourage other schools to join in, too.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.