Typically, my goal in these columns is to update you on what’s going on in Congress and around our district. There’s rarely a shortage of things to talk about when it comes to D.C. Our nation’s capital is home to the halls of Congress, the White House and our President, the United States Supreme Court and a whole lot of lawmaking. Beyond the policies that are made there, the city is also home to our national monuments that Americans from far and wide travel to see. Many of these monuments are dedicated to the veterans who served our nation honorably in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and the memories of the soldiers who gave their lives for our country in these wars. 

The Honor Flight Network is an incredible non-profit organization that flies America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. free of cost so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor. The organization mainly caters to World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans and any veteran suffering from a serious illness in an effort to give these Americans a once-in-a-lifetime experience they might not otherwise have. As these veterans get older in age, the opportunity to visit these landmarks that commemorate their service and allowing them to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers they served with is so important. This will likely be one of the most meaningful days of their lives and I’m so grateful the Honor Flight Network continues to carry out such a worthwhile mission every year.

Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has flown 245,178 veterans to Washington. This year, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight will be breaking records by making its 100th trip to Washington Nov.1. They are only the second chapter in the nation to reach this milestone, which illustrates Missourians’ dedication to honoring our veterans. This group will visit the Korea and Vietnam Memorials, World War II Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, and Arlington Cemetery for a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This will undoubtedly be a profound, moving trip as these veterans look back on their time serving our country, remember their fellow service members who didn’t return home, and hopefully feel the immense gratitude our nation holds for them.

With Veterans Day coming up in a few weeks, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight comes at a wonderful time. If you know any Third District veterans or volunteers who might be interested in participating in an Honor Flight or is looking to donate to this great cause, please contact one of our local chapters. Information for the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight can be found atgslhonorflight.org or by calling (314) 968-7717, and information for the Central Missouri Honor Flight can be found at centralmissourihonorflight.com or by calling (573) 256-1930. Our nation’s veterans were willing to lay down their lives for America, and they should all have the opportunity to see the memorials that were built to recognize them as the heroes they are. 

CONTACT US: I encourage you to visit my official website or call my offices in Jefferson City (573-635-7232) Washington, Mo. (636-239-2276), or Wentzville (636-327-7055) with your questions and concerns. If you want even greater access to what I am working on, please visit my YouTube site, Facebook page, and keep up-to-date with Twitter and Instagram.