A mission that has recognized veterans in Central Missouri for their service is nearing its conclusion.

Central Missouri Honor Flight announced this week that it has set a deadline of Sept. 1 for eligible veterans to apply for the opportunity to visit Washington and see the nation’s war memorials. President Mary Paulsell says the group has reached nearly every veteran in the region.

Paulsell adds that since the first flight took off in 2009, the mission has remained the same: to give the region’s war veterans the recognition they deserve and should have received when they first returned home.

Eligible veterans can apply through September 1st on Central Missouri Honor Flight’s website.

Paulsell notes that after Sept. 1, any requests will be redirected to another Honor Flight chapter in the state.