Central Missouri Honor Flight (CMHF) will be flying its final flight on Monday, September 15, after 16 years of honoring veterans with trips to Washington, D.C.

A total of 70 veterans will take part in Honor Flight #71, including 69 Vietnam veterans and one Korean War veteran. Since 2009, nearly 5,600 veterans have taken part in flights from the Columbia chapter. CMHF President Mary Paulsell says while the moment may be bittersweet, she’s proud of the opportunity they’ve been able to give veterans over the past 16 years.

CMHF’s final mission departs Columbia 1:45 a.m. Monday, September 15, and returns at 9:30 p.m. that same night at the Columbia Courtyard by Marriott. As always, traveling with them will be a medical team as well as guardians who assist veterans with wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, and companionship on the flight. Paulsell reflected on what this trip means for veterans.

After the buses leave the St. Louis airport Monday evening, they are escorted along I-70 from Kingdom City by motorcyclists as part of the Central Missouri Honor Flight Riders. The public is encouraged to arrive at 8:30 p.m., Monday to get a good view of the returning veterans whose buses arrive under the stars and stripes of a large American flag provided by the Columbia Fire Department. Area law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, facilitate the honor flight buses’ return to Columbia.