Honor Flight of the Ozarks takes off for day-long D.C. experience

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — It is a big day for 81 veterans in the Ozarks as they travel to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight of the Ozarks, an organization that lets veterans travel back to the capital to see their memorials.

For some, it will be their first trip ever.

The plane took off early this morning, but before they left, we spoke with a veteran and his grandson who say they’re looking forward to this experience.

“We’re excited about seeing everything we’re going to get to see,” said Gay Laster, a Vietnam War veteran. “But one of the things that I really wasn’t aware of, and I’ve retired from the Air Force, is I didn’t really realize we had an Air Force memorial that I’m going to get to see.”

Guardians help the veterans throughout the day. Laster has his grandson, who also served in the Marines.

“I think we’re going to make some very fond memories today,” Drew Moreno, Gay Laster’s grandson said. “And there’s no better way to bond than through this experience right here.”

Laster was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and tells me today will be his first time seeing the Vietnam Memorial Wall in person.

“I know I have some friends on there,” Laster said. “First thing, I’m going to look for one of my high school buddies, his name was Galen Jones. And then from my cousin, my first cousin that I know, Freddie Amos.”

“It is a very emotionally charged moment when you see a veteran walk up to the wall for the first time,” said David Snider, Flight Coordinator with Honor Flight of the Ozarks. “It’s breathtaking because they may not have known anyone that’s on the wall. But as they start looking, they recognize names.”

Snider says this trip creates bonds as veterans share stories that may have never been told before.

“We get a different perspective,” Snider said. “Everyone on board here has a story that’s not in the history books, and it’s told through their eyes, through their words.”

Veterans will be welcomed home later this evening at around 8 p.m.

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