History of Honor Flight:
Honor Flight was created with a simple, yet powerful, mission — honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials
built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. The Honor Flight Network was co-founded by Jeff Miller, a small business owner and son of a World War II Veteran,
and Earl Morse, a physician assistant and retire Air Force Captain. The first honor flight took place in May 2005, when six small planes flew 12 World War II
Veterans to Washington, DC., to see the newly completed National World War II Memorial.
While initially focused only on America’s World War II veterans, Honor Flight Network now also includes those who served in the military during the Korean and
Vietnam War eras, along with veterans of any service era who are critically ill. Earlier this year, Veterans from the Operation Desert Shield/Storm era are now
eligible.
Honor Flight Network:
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 134 active Honor Flight Hubs in 43 states.
To date, there has been:
339,226 Veterans Honored since 2005 22,098 Veterans Honored on their Mission in 2025 37,728 Veterans waiting to take their Honor Flight and counting Honor Flight of the Ozarks: Honor Flight of the Ozarks was founded in February 2013 and the first flight was in May 2014. On April 22, 2026, Honor Flight of the Ozarks completed its 29th Honor Flight Mission to Washington, DC. To date, we have honored 2,523 Veterans with “One More Mission with Honor”. We currently have 652 Veterans and counting, waiting to take their Honor Flight Mission.
In 2025, Honor Flight of the Ozarks flew three (3) Missions to Washington DC. Collectively, 238 Veterans completed their Honor Flight Mission. We just completed our first Mission of 2026 on April 22nd. We are currently preparing for the next Missions, scheduled for July 07th and October 21st.
Honor Flight of the Ozarks
2,523 Veterans Flown Since Inception
Honoring Our Veterans
Because of generous donors like you, our honored and deserving Veterans travel
absolutely FREE!
Honor Flight of the Ozarks is 1 of 134 hubs, in 43 states. Our HFO Staff members and Volunteers are committed to honoring our Veterans with “One More Mission
of Honor”, to Washington DC. We are supported by the generosity of the people in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.
HFO Leadership Team Honor Flight of the Ozarks is a member of the Honor Flight Network
Board of Directors David T. Snider Executive Director, Flight Coordinator × David T. Snider - Executive Director, Flight Coordinator In addition to serving as a director on the board of directors, David currently serves as the Flight Coordinator on flights. David is a retired police officer with 28 years of service with the Springfield Police Department and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. Preceding a career in law enforcement, he served his country with four years of active duty as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army.
Theresa Suda Director, Board of Directors, 2026 President × Theresa Suda - Director, Board of Directors, 2026 President Theresa, a familiar face to Honor Flight since 2010, embodies the spirit of gratitude for our veterans. The owner of RosamungThorns, a local flower shop, has presented each of our veterans with a long stemmed red rose upon their arrival to their Welcome Home celebration at the arrival airport on each flight. As the beloved “flower lady,” Theresa warmly welcomes veterans with roses, a symbol of appreciation. A legacy of service runs deep in her family – her father, late husband, and son all proudly served in the U.S. Navy. This deep respect for sacrifice translates into action. Her dedication extends beyond gestures. In addition sitting on the Board, she actively serves as a volunteer at events, participated twice as a guardian, and directly supporting veterans on their emotional journey.
Zachary McFarland Director, Board of Directors, 2026 Vice President × Zachary McFarland - Director, Board of Directors, 2026 Vice President Zachary joined the HFO Board of Directors in 2023. His dedication to veterans stems from his father’s service in Vietnam with the Army and grandfather’s service in the 6th Marine Division in WWII. Zachary served as a HFO Guardian in 2019, and currently serves as an assistant flight coordinator and executive committee board member.
Charles Jerman Director, Board of Directors, 2026 Board of Directors Secretary × Charles Jerman - Director, Board of Directors, 2026 Board of Directors Secretary Charlie serves on the board of directors for Honor Flight of the Ozarks. Charlie spent 25 years in law enforcement before retiring to pursue his real passion of working with veterans. In addition to serving with Honor Flight, Charlie also serves on the board of directors of the Branson Veterans Task Force. While he has always had great respect for veterans, especially his Marine uncle, it increased each year while he worked in the Branson area. “It is a privilege to be a member of the board of directors at each of these organizations.”
Tony Danko Director, Board of Directors, 2026 Board of Directors Treasurer × Tony Danko - Director, Board of Directors, 2026 Board of Directors Treasurer Tony is a retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer Four. After his 20 years of service, Tony and his family moved to Springfield, MO where he started and runs a healthcare technology management company. He brings his years of service, combined with his small business experience to the HFO board. Tony decided to join the HFO board after attending several fundraising events and homecoming ceremonies and was moved by the positive reaction from the vets and their family members.
Ron McCall Director, Board of Directors × Ron McCall - Director, Board of Directors Ron is a retired US Air Force Physician Assistant, having served during the Vietnam conflict. He moved with his family to Springfield upon retiring from active military service. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of Honor Flight of The Ozarks. He sees his present service as a continuation of a lifetime of service to others, having worked in the medical profession throughout his career, helping provide healing for others. His present participation with Honor Flight is one of helping others facilitate that healing in many ways while honoring those who have shown their willingness to serve this great country.
Bill Cox Director, Board of Directors × Bill Cox - Director, Board of Directors “The most exciting thing that these veterans have an opportunity to do is to #1: be able to get the mail call from the people throughout the community that care for what these veterans have done for our country. #2: the opportunity for these veterans to be greeted by thousands of well-wishers when they arrive back in Springfield. It has been a pleasure for me, for the past ten years, to associate myself with the Ozarks and I am looking forward to many more years of supporting the veterans of Southwest Missouri and the surrounding areas.”
Steve Bach Director, Board of Directors × Steve Bach - Director, Board of Directors Steve is recently retired after being self-employed for 42 years with Bach Medical. 7 years ago, I went as a guardian on my first honor flight. I fell in love with it. I went on my first Honor Flight as a guardian to honor my deceased father’s WWII Service (which he was very proud of), and when I returned I asked the past flight director what was the hardest part of her job. She replied, “gathering/borrowing 60 wheelchairs for every flight.” Being in the medical business, I thought we would get them donated. Over the next six months, it happened. People donated money, and some of my suppliers donated wheelchairs. We were able to acquire additional chairs through my company very affordably. I also had a mission as the 4th board member to increase the size of the board and make some changes that would benefit the veterans. We also accomplished that very successfully. I originally wanted to thank service members for their service, not knowing the Vietnam veterans had never been thanked. Now, I stay involved to make sure they are thanked as well.
Gary Doucey Director, Board of Directors × Gary Doucey - Director, Board of Directors Growing up in the Springfield-area of southwest Missouri, Gary joined the U.S. Navy after one year of college in 1964. He spent five years on active duty, spending time in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969. Following active duty, he spent 24.5 years with the Navy Reserve. After his active-duty service, Gary was in law enforcement serving with police and sheriff departments in Stone Co., MO, Walnut Grove, MO, Greene Co., MO, and Lawrence Co., MO. When Gary is not busy with volunteering with Honor Flight, he spends his free time doing car shows and camping.
Chaplain (COL) Scott McChrystal, USA (Ret) Director, Board of Directors × Chaplain (COL) Scott McChrystal, USA (Ret) - Director, Board of Directors Scott McChrystal served 31 years on active duty, 10 as an infantry officer and the remainder as an Army chaplain. His infantry experience included a tour in Vietnam and three assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division. His chaplaincy experience included multiple tours at home and abroad. In his last assignment, he served as the senior chaplain at West Point. He retired from active duty in 2005 and served 14 years as the military endorser for the Assemblies of God. In addition to serving with HFO, he serves as the Executive Liaison for the Warrior’s Journey, a non-profit organization that supports the military community. His education includes a Master of Business Degree, a Master of Divinity Degree, a Doctor of Ministry Degree, and graduation from The United States Army War College. Additionally, he serves as a consultant to the American Council on Education.
Maria Neider Director, Board of Directors × Maria Neider - Director, Board of Directors Maria Neider is an award-winning journalist and communications professional with 30 years of experience in television news and media production. A familiar face across southwest Missouri, Maria has earned multiple honors throughout her career, including the Edward R. Murrow Award, Emmy awards, Associated Press awards and recognition from the Missouri Broadcasters Association. Since 2024, Maria has served as the Communications Director for the City of Ozark, helping lead public information, community engagement, and citywide communications efforts. Beyond the newsroom, Maria is passionate about serving the community and honoring veterans. As a member of the Board of Directors for Honor Flight of the Ozarks, she helps share the stories and mission behind providing veterans with unforgettable trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Maria also serves on the Board of Directors for the Ozark Chamber of Commerce and Harmony House. She is the co-founder of MS Creative Media, a company specializing in video production and social media content.
Jennifer Danko Director, Board of Directors × Jennifer Danko - Director, Board of Directors
John Huddleston Director, Board of Directors × John Huddleston - Director, Board of Directors
Emeritus / Co-founders Douglas Evans Founding Director, Board of Directors (2014) × Douglas Evans - Founding Director, Board of Directors (2014) Three sons of WWII veterans in 2013 undertook the task of continuing to honor veterans after KY3 ceased operation of their WWII Honor Flight. Also, we thought all veterans should be honored in addition to WWII veterans. I am a 7 term past chairman and 35+ year board member of Springfield Industrial Solutions, formerly Springfield Workshop and a 49-year member, past President and current board member of Springfield South Kiwanis so my community service has been a key concern throughout my career. Since my father died in 2002 and national Honor Flight wasn’t organized until 2005, I wanted to honor my father through my service to HFO.
Walt Cameron Founding Director of Honor Flight of the Ozarks (2014) × Walt Cameron - Founding Director of Honor Flight of the Ozarks (2014) Motivational Speaker, Nonprofit Consultant, Private Money Real Estate Lender, Life-Style Coach, Business Consultant, Best-Selling Author. We are very blessed to honor our Veterans with a VIP experience and a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit their Memorials.
Advisory Committee Ned Reynolds Advisory Board Director, Board of Directors × Ned Reynolds - Advisory Board Director, Board of Directors I'm a six-year veteran of the US Navy and have been on the Board of Honor Flight of the Ozarks since 2016. Semi-retired from KY3 TV after 48 years as Sports Director. Currently part-time at KY3, Midwest Family Radio, and Zimmer Communications.
Office Teresa Wilson Office Administrator × Teresa Wilson - Office Administrator Teresa Wilson is an active volunteer for HFO. As of 9/2/25 she is now office staff. Her husband served in the Navy on a submarine. Her father served in the army and she has a son-in-law that is retired from the Air Force. The dedication of her family to serve their country has ingrained in her to continue to serve our country by helping veterans anyway possible.
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