Springfield Mayor Ken McClure among veterans welcomed home from Honor Flight trip

An unusually large crowd of family and friends gathered at Springfield-Branson National Airport late Wednesday to welcome home the 81 veterans who took the August Honor Flight of the Ozarks trip to Washington, D.C.

Springfield Mayor Ken McClure normally stands by the door to shake hands with returning veterans. Mayor Pro Tem Matt Simpson handled that duty Wednesday because McClure, an Army veteran, was on the Honor Flight. Joining Simpson were several City Council members as well as U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison.

The veterans' entry into the airport lobby was preceded by a bagpiper, followed by the Shrine Band playing the National Anthem. Then as the band started playing the themes of the five branches of service the veterans entered the packed lobby with friends and family members waving flags and holding "Welcome Home" signs, handshakes, kisses and cheers.

Flight Coordinator David Snider said the daylong trip went very well and the weather in D.C. was perfect. He said the welcome was something that the veterans never received when they returned from Vietnam. Of the 81 veterans on the flight, 78 served during Vietnam, along with three who served in Korea.

Plans are underway for the third and final Honor Flight of the year, which is scheduled Oct. 16. 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 did not have to serve overseas. Guardians who accompany the veterans take the trip for $500. Veteran, guardian and volunteer applications are available at honorflightoftheozarks.org .

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Mayor Ken McClure among veterans welcomed home from Honor Flight trip