Veteran saluting in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial

Honor Flight Youth Council members in front of a large American flag

Bald eagle spreading wings at an Honor Flight orientation

Veteran in a wheelchair with his Guardian across from the Washington Monument

Honor Flight veteran posing with three police officers during his mission to Washington, D.C.

The Mission of Honor Flight of the Ozarks

Honor Flight of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization committed to Honoring the Bravery and Sacrifices of our nation’s HEROES, with a powerful journey to Washington DC. Our Veterans are given the opportunity to take “One More Mission with Honor” to see their memorials that were built on their contributions to our great country. They are able to stand alongside their fellow Veterans to reminisce and reflect on their enduring legacies.

Any qualifying veteran from the eras of World War II, Korea, Vietnam Era, and Desert Shield/Desert Storm are eligible for a Honor Flight Mission. Mission priority is given to all terminally ill veterans of any war era. Other Veterans are given priority starting with World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Desert Shield/Desert.

The Honor Flight Mission does require that a Guardian be assigned to each Veteran on every flight. Guardians provide any assistance needed by each Veteran, to ensure a safe and rewarding experience on the mission.

Learn More

Veteran looking across the Tidal Basin at the Washington Monument

Ozark's RC Warthog plane in front of the Welcome Veterans banner

Portrait of an Honor Flight veteran wearing his flight cap

Veteran Applications

Qualifying veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Shield / Storm fly to D.C. at no cost to see their memorials.

Apply Now

Guardian standing with a veteran in a wheelchair across from the Washington Monument

Guardian Applications

Accompany a veteran on the trip and provide the assistance they need for a safe and rewarding experience.

Apply Now

Honor Flight volunteer wearing a volunteer shirt and lanyard

Volunteer Applications

Every flight is made possible by hundreds of volunteers giving their time — help us send our Heroes to Washington.

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Youth Council Applications

High school students who volunteer their time, bring awareness to Honor Flight, and raise funds to support the mission.

Apply Now

Easel holding a wartime portrait beside a folded flag at the World War II Memorial

Honoring Yesterday's Heroes

Recognize and honor a deceased veteran who was never able to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C.

Apply Now

Information from Honor Flight of the Ozarks:

Our goal is to get our veterans to Washington D.C. to see their memorials. The safety and security of everyone on every trip are our top priorities. In the end, it is our responsibility as an Honor Flight hub to ensure we are doing everything possible to make visits to Washington, D.C. as safe and rewarding as possible.

2026 has already been a successful year for Honor Flight of the Ozarks

2026 has been an amazing flight season for our hub so far. We successfully completed two honor flights to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials. We completed our first mission on April 22, 2026, our second on July 7, 2026 and we have our third flight scheduled for October 21, 2026.

Thank you for supporting Our Veteran Heroes!

REAL ID REQUIREMENT:

As of May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security required travelers to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification) to fly within the U.S.

The Veteran or Guardian are responsible for ensuring that they have the appropriate form of REAL-ID compliant identification, prior to their scheduled flight date. If you have any questions regarding REAL-ID, please contact the Honor Flight of the Ozarks office at 417-268-9052.

The following are examples of REAL ID-compliant forms of acceptable identification:

DoD Common Access Card
DoD Uniformed Services ID Cards (military retiree or dependent ID)
Local DoD Access Cards and Passes (i.e. Defense Biometric Identification System Card)
U.S. or Foreign Passport or Passport Cards
Transportation Worker Identification Cards
Veteran’s Health Identification Cards
Federal Personal Identify Verification Cards
Non-Federal PIV-Interoperable Cards
State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)

For more information, please see your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website, https://www.dhs.gov/real-id and www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Visit/Information.

Four Honor Flight veterans on the National Mall with the Washington Monument behind them

WHO ARE THEY… AND WHO THEY ARE…

A Veteran is defined as a former member of the armed forces; an old soldier of long service; or a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill set.

A Hero is defined as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.

The Honor Flight of the Ozarks honors the bravery and sacrifices of our Veterans because they are the true Heroes of Freedom. Their service to our country is the ultimate example of why “Freedom is Not Free”. Every Veteran swore an oath to uphold, protect, and defend our great nation, and they did not take that oath lightly.

It was a Veteran like Chief Petty Officer Jack Hamlin, Rescue Flotilla One, that dove into the frigid waters off of Omaha Beach, and saved soldiers during the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944.
It was a Veteran like Corporal Clifford Newman, who stood the watch on the DMZ, during the Korean War, making sure the enemy did not pass or infiltrate their camp.
It was a Veteran like Specialist John Hampton, who said he was just a “truck driver” during the Vietnam War, but yet he earned a Bronze Star for his actions on the field of battle.
It was a Veteran like CW5 Greg McManus who flew his Huey helicopter gunship to the fight and engaged the enemy in Chau Duc, Vietnam, until every munition they had was exhausted, and the hostiles were neutralized.

“As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will not surrender for it, now or ever”……President Ronald Reagan.

David T. Snider
Executive Director / Flight Coordinator

Event Calendar

Testimonials

August 26, 2025
Thank you Honor Flight and all the wonderful volunteers, and a special thank you to my gaurdian Bauer. It was a very memorable trip and mail call was a special surprise as well as the Honor Quilt.

— Larry & Connie Jackson

August 26, 2025
Dear Dave,

Here it is Saturday, the 16^th and I am still recovering from the most memorable trip of my lifetime. I have thought about what I could say to you and your team that could truly express my appreciation.

This trip and your team has meant so much to me, I got emotional. A few names I remember, Patsy, Sally, Mike, but so mant others I don't have names for. I'll always remember the medical team that was always checking on me and others constantly. The snack and water pushers were always available. The group of Police Officers at the department and return at the Springfield Airport were impressive. I was also impressed by the number of people sending us off and welcoming us home.

Thank you very much for your hard work and dedication. I have talked to several vets since coming home and they all agree the Honor Flight is amazing. I also want to acknowledge Mike Brightwell, my guardian, he was a gift and added to my enjoyment of this wonderful trip.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

— Robert Hartley

August 13, 2025
I want to thank everyone involved in this event. It is obvious to me that hundreds of volunteer hours were put in for this one event. Everything was carefully planned and coordinated and minor hiccups were quickly resolved. The planning and logistics are mind boggling to me. It is a day I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life. I have never felt so honored and respected for my military service. This trip took away all the bad memories I had from my return from Vietnam. I thank you all for making my life better.

— Phil Y.

August 13, 2025
I just want to thank everyone that made this happen. I want you to know that you helped me move on from a place of closed pain that I have carried for a long time. I am still working through the events that happened on Wednesday. Your hard work will never be forgotten by me. God bless you and this organization.

— Jerry M.

September 13, 2024
I am Samuel Kirk. I just went on the Honor Flight five days ago and can’t stop marveling. It was very emotional for me because of all the people, the massive efforts and planning/preparation, details and execution. The giving of yourselves. Incredible! Thank you all so much.

— Samuel Kirk

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