ABOUT HONOR FLIGHT
Honor Flight, Inc. and affiliated hubs in the national Honor Flight Network are private, not-for-profit organizations created solely to honor America’s Veterans for their many sacrifices. Today, there are 128 regional hubs in the United States.
Honor Flight first flew in May 2005 with six small planes flying twelve WWII veterans, departing from Springfield, Ohio. In 2006, with a rapidly expanding waiting list, the program transitioned to commercial airline carriers to accommodate more veterans. That same year Honor Flight partnered with Honor Air in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Hero Flight in Provo, Utah, to establish the national “Honor Flight Network” which has expanded aggressively to include cities across the nation. By 2007 official Network hubs had been established in 32 cities, to localize community commitment, operational planning, and fund-raising.
By the numbers
Veterans Flown 2019
23,045
- WWII - 1,987
- Korean - 6,176
- Vietnam - 13,070
- Other - 1,812
Guardians Flown 2018
18,284
Total Veterans flown since inception
245,178
Total Guardians flown since inception
181,501
Goal for 2022
20,000 WWII, Korea, Vietnam and any Terminally Ill Vet!
Current Honor Flight Hubs
128 Hubs currently serving 43 states
Honor Flight of the Ozarks
2,246 Veterans Flown Since Inception
Honoring Our Veterans
Because of generous donors like you, our honored and deserving Veterans travel absolutely FREE!
In December 2013, Honor Flight of the Ozarks became the 133rd regional hub in the national Honor Flight Network. Our board members and volunteers are honored and committed to providing flights to Washington D.C. for thousands of our deserving Veterans in Southwest Missouri.
HOW CAN YOU HELP OUR VETERANS?
Our Honor Flight would not be possible without the financial support from private and corporate donors and sponsors. We are also seeking to broaden our base of fund-raising programs throughout Southwest Missouri with Veteran organizations such as VFW, American Legion, and business clubs such as Rotary and Kiwanis. We will continue to partner with all church denominations and Boy and Girl Scouts, and especially enjoy the enthusiastic support of our schools and students who benefit so much from the personal involvement with our Veterans through our Speakers Bureau. Veterans fill the gaps in American History and Social Studies curriculum as they continue the legacy of the wonderful stories which began with our founding fathers to our current military men and women. Our students love our Veterans!
Honor Flight of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization as a 501 (c) (3). All donations are deductible to the extent determined by law.
Our goal is to honor and recognize the sacrifices our Veterans made so that we may all continue to enjoy our freedoms and way of life. Our small token of our appreciation for them is to give them a memorable trip of a lifetime to visit their Memorials in Washington D.C. in a VIP manner that befits the heroic status they occupy in the hearts of all Americans.
Your generous support allows us to accomplish our goal of honoring our Veterans!
HFO Leadership Team
Honor Flight of the Ozarks is a member of the Honor Flight Network
Board of Directors
Bill Cox - Director, Board President
Ron McCall - Director, Board Vice President
Douglas Evans - Co-Founder, Director, Board Treasurer
Walt Cameron - Co-Founder, Director
Steve Bach - Director
Dave Thater - Director
Gary Ellison - Director
Ned Reynolds - Director
David T. Snider - Director, Flight Coordinator
Tom Marty - Director
Gary Doucey - Director
Chaz Koeppen - Director
Charles Jerman - Director
Ron McCall - Director
Theresa Carter-Hess - Director
Office
Lora Combs - Office Administrator
Shawn Moore - Assistant Flight Coordinator
Tom Mikulin - Airport Location Coordinator (Training/Flight Day/Welcome Home)
MISSOURI VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam who meet eligibility requirements are entitled to a medallion, medal and certificate. Any spouse or eldest living survivor of a veteran who meets the eligibility requirements but died prior to having made application, is entitled to a medallion, medal and certificate.
The program is administered through the Missouri National Guard at no cost.
Recognition Application