U.S. military veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars are to be aboard the 60th Central Missouri Honor Flight, departing Columbia early Monday morning.
The flight will include 110 veterans, who will enjoy a one-day tour of Washington, D.C., including the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam memorials. They will also visit memorials dedicated to the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and Women in Military Service, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.
Because most Central Missouri area WWII veterans have taken the flight, veterans honored in this trip served primarily in the Korean and Vietnam wars. They are able to take the trip free of charge because of donations to the all-volunteer Central Missouri Honor Flight.
The flight leaves at 1:45 a.m. Monday. The veterans return to Courtyard by Marriott, 3301 Lemone Industrial Drive in Columbia, under escort at 9:30 p.m. the same day. Area law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri Highway Patrol, participate in the caravan that returns the veterans to the hotel.
The public is encouraged to arrive at 8:45 p.m. Monday to get a good view of the returning veterans and to watch a flag ceremony in the hotel parking lot.