Youth Council

The Honor Flight of the Ozarks Youth Council is an organized and dedicated group of high school students who volunteer their time to HFO, help bring awareness to the organization, and raise funds to support the HFO mission. Serving on the Youth Council involves attending monthly Council meetings, volunteering on Flight Briefing Days, Flight Days, and other HFO events. Council members will also execute personal fundraisers within their community or school to benefit HFO. Members get the opportunity to give back to their community, honor local veterans, and build leadership skills.

Each year, HFO operates three flights carrying veterans and their guardians to Washington, DC. They get a VIP experience seeing the memorials and monuments dedicated in their honor at no cost to the veterans. Each flight consists of three main volunteer events at the Springfield-Branson National Airport:

Flight Briefing Day - On Sunday of the week prior to flight day, veterans and their guardians meet at the airport to receive information from the flight crew about their day in Washington. Volunteers aid in passing out backpacks, directing wheelchairs, and distributing refreshments.

Flight Morning - Flight morning involves handing out breakfast bags, name tags, and bottles of water. Veterans and guardians visit a final information session, and then they are sent off from the airport with a water cannon salute.

Flight Return - On the evenings of flight returns, the public gathers at the airport to welcome the veterans home in a patriotic celebration. Volunteers sell water bottles, HFO souvenirs, miniature United States flags, and more. Distinguished guests and local media often join us for this unforgettable event.