Final Central Missouri honor flight (CMHF) is Monday

By Brian Hauswirth
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74 Vietnam-era veterans and one Korean War veteran are at Lambert Airport on this Monday morning, getting ready to depart on what will be the final Central Missouri Honor Flight (CMHF).

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A mid-Missourian stands at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia (undated photo courtesy of Central Missouri Honor Flight’s Mary Paulsell)

Today marks the end of a 16-year era. The CMHF has flown about 5,500 veterans to Washington since 2009 to reflect at their memorials.

Central Missouri Honor Flight director Steve Paulsell joined Fred Parry in-studio Saturday on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Paulsell tells listeners that today is about this honor flight and not about it being the final one. He emphasizes that they want to provide these 75 veterans with what they’ve given everyone else.

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U.S. Armed Services members greet a veteran returning to St. Louis Lambert from an honor flight to Washington (undated photo courtesy of Central Missouri Honor Flight’s Mary Paulsell)

Honor flights provide a day of gratitude, celebration and healing for all deserving veterans. The veterans, their caretakers and CMHF staff left Columbia’s Courtyard by Marriott on Lemone Industrial at about 1:15 this morning. They’re expected to return to the hotel at about 9:30 tonight, and you are invited to welcome them back.