168 Arkansas Veterans Take "Honor Flight" to Nation's Capital
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: October 19, 2012
A group of Arkansas veterans visits the nation's capital on Saturday for a whirlwind sight-seeing trip.
All 168 of them will fly free of charge on two chartered flights from Little Rock to spend the day touring war memorials in Washington, D.C.
The trip is the first official "Honor Flight" and KARK 4 Chief Meteorologist Keith Monahan, himself a veteran, will also be on-board.
The group, which will include veterans as old as 94, will see the World War II Memorial as well as other military memorials during their day in the nation's capital.
The flight is made possible with major donations from Tyson Foods, Inc., the Walmart Foundation and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
"We are truly honored to be partnering with Tyson Foods and Walmart to provide this experience for our state's World War II veterans," said Duane Highley, president and chief executive officer for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI) and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC). "The sacrifices they made as young men and women ensured the freedoms we have today. We are proud to play a part in helping them see firsthand the national memorial dedicated
to their service."
Flight organizers encourage the public to be at the Little Rock National Airport terminal at 7:30 p.m., Saturday night, to be part of a special return reception for the veterans.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to show your support of these veterans from the 'Greatest Generation,' as well as enjoy patriotic music and flag waving," said Melissa Lee, a Tyson Foods attorney who is chair of the company's Veterans Business Resource Group (VBRG), which has been actively involved in supporting the Honor Flight program.
The Arkansas Army National Guard will provide the Color Guard and the Army Quartet Band.
The State of Arkansas Adjutant General will meet the flights in D.C. and travel with the veterans on the tour of their memorial.
All 168 of them will fly free of charge on two chartered flights from Little Rock to spend the day touring war memorials in Washington, D.C.
The trip is the first official "Honor Flight" and KARK 4 Chief Meteorologist Keith Monahan, himself a veteran, will also be on-board.
The group, which will include veterans as old as 94, will see the World War II Memorial as well as other military memorials during their day in the nation's capital.
The flight is made possible with major donations from Tyson Foods, Inc., the Walmart Foundation and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
"We are truly honored to be partnering with Tyson Foods and Walmart to provide this experience for our state's World War II veterans," said Duane Highley, president and chief executive officer for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI) and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC). "The sacrifices they made as young men and women ensured the freedoms we have today. We are proud to play a part in helping them see firsthand the national memorial dedicated
to their service."
Flight organizers encourage the public to be at the Little Rock National Airport terminal at 7:30 p.m., Saturday night, to be part of a special return reception for the veterans.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to show your support of these veterans from the 'Greatest Generation,' as well as enjoy patriotic music and flag waving," said Melissa Lee, a Tyson Foods attorney who is chair of the company's Veterans Business Resource Group (VBRG), which has been actively involved in supporting the Honor Flight program.
The Arkansas Army National Guard will provide the Color Guard and the Army Quartet Band.
The State of Arkansas Adjutant General will meet the flights in D.C. and travel with the veterans on the tour of their memorial.
