Honor Flight of the Ozarks documentary premieres Aug. 23 on Ozarks Public Television

Linda Leicht
Honor Flight of the Ozarks flight coordinator David Snider (left) helps with the rubbing of a name at the Vietnam Memorial Wall during the Aug. 23, 2023 trip to Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight of the Ozarks flight coordinator David Snider (left) helps with the rubbing of a name at the Vietnam Memorial Wall during the Aug. 23, 2023 trip to Washington, D.C.

Soon, everyone will be able to experience what happens on an Honor Flight.

"In Gratitude: Honor Flight of the Ozarks" is a 1 ½-hour documentary program that follows 81 veterans, 81 guardians and volunteer staff who took the Aug. 23, 2023, day-long trip to Washington, D.C., to see the military memorials. It follows the veterans all through the day culminating in an enthusiastic "Welcome Home" back in Springfield.

The program, produced by Ozarks Public Television, is OPT’s latest documentary dealing with people who live in the Ozarks. The August flight included two veterans from World War II, 19 who served during the Korean Conflict and 60 who served during Vietnam. Of the veterans who took the flight, six live in Arkansas and the remainder are from Missouri.

Brent Slane, the documentary's producer, talked about the emotional connection for viewers. "Hearing the veterans’ stories about their time in the service and the mission of Honor Flight of the Ozarks taking them, at no charge, to the World War Il Memorial, Korean War Veteran's Memorial, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall and the solemn experience of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is really meaningful,” he said.

"In Gratitude: Honor Flight of the Ozarks" premieres on Ozarks Public Television main channel (KOZK in Springfield and KOZJ in Joplin) at 8 p.m. March 28 and re-airs at 8 p.m. April 1. It will be available to stream on video.optv.org on April 2.

Two videographers from Ozarks Public Television accompanied the Aug. 23 Honor Flight of the Ozarks while filming a documentary set to air March 28.
Two videographers from Ozarks Public Television accompanied the Aug. 23 Honor Flight of the Ozarks while filming a documentary set to air March 28.

Any veteran who lives in southwest Missouri or northwest Arkansas who received an honorable discharge from the military is eligible to go on an Honor Flight at no cost. The veteran must have served during World War II, Korea, the Vietnam era or the Gulf War. They do not have to have serves overseas.

Veteran, guardian and volunteer applications are available at honorflightoftheozarks.org.

There will be three Honor Flights departing from Springfield this year with the first on May 29.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: OPT's Honor Flight of the Ozarks documentary premieres Aug. 23

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