CentralMo HonorFlight Riders

05/16/2026

Honoring the brave men and women who serve our nation with courage and sacrifice. ❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thank you for defending our freedoms—today and every day.

04/23/2026

Happy 118th birthday to the U.S. Army Reserve! Formed in 1908, Army Reservists have been deployed to conflicts and humanitarian efforts around the world. They also play a vital role in ensuring the safety and stability of our nation on American soil. What started as a small group of medical officers became a robust federal reserve force that fills essential roles in national defense and global operations, blending civilian expertise with military readiness. To all current and former Army Reservists, we hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you for your service.

03/29/2026

02/24/2026

🇺🇸 81 Years Ago — The Flag Raising on Mount Suribachi

On February 23, 1945, six U.S. Marines raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima — and in that single moment, history was made.

Photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the image that would go on to become one of the most iconic pictures ever taken — a symbol of American resolve, sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest in the Pacific Theater. Nearly 7,000 Americans lost their lives, and over 19,000 were wounded. The Marines who fought there gave everything they had on that volcanic island, far from home, so that freedom could prevail.

Admiral Chester Nimitz said it best — “Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Today we remember their courage. We honor their sacrifice. And we never forget what that flag represents.

Semper Fidelis. 🇺🇸

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas to All

12/07/2025

December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

11/27/2025

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving Day and be ever so safe🦃🦃🦃🦃

11/16/2025

Mary Paulsell, along with her brother Steve Paulsell and his wife Sharon Paulsell, were the primary founders of the non-profit Central Missouri Honor Flight (CMHF).
The Paulsells, inspired by stories of veterans who couldn't travel to see their war memorials in Washington D.C., established the organization in 2009 with several other community members, including local news reporter Sarah Hill. They initially expected to run only a couple of flights but ended up organizing 71 all-expenses-paid trips for more than 5,000 veterans over 15 years.
In the organization's structure, Mary Paulsell served as the President, while Steve was the Director and Sharon the Vice-President, making it a "family affair". Steve and Sharon even designed special covers to personalize the wheelchairs used by veterans during the trips.
The Central Missouri Honor Flight chapter held its final flight in September 2025, after which no additional trips were scheduled. The decision was made as they felt they might have "exhausted the market" in the area and finding new veterans to take the trip had become a challenge.

You three are great people and an asset to your community and country thank you for you time and effort, your in the hearts of everyone of those Veterans

11/14/2025

Sarah Hill, an accomplished and experienced interactive news anchor at KOMU-TV in mid-Missouri, played a vital role in the establishment of the Central Missouri Honor Flight program. Her news story about an Honor Flight for veterans in another location inspired local community members, including Mary and Steve Paulsell, to create a similar program in Columbia. Hill's initial news report highlighted the profound impact of Honor Flights on veterans, motivating a group of community members to co-found the Central Missouri chapter. This chapter ultimately provided over 5,600 veterans with the opportunity to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C. Hill remained involved with the organization even after leaving KOMU, as evidenced by a Facebook post mentioning her participation in a later flight as a motorcycle es**rt. Recognizing that some aging veterans were physically unable to travel, Hill launched the 'Honor Everywhere' program in 2015. This initiative utilizes virtual reality to bring 360-degree, immersive experiences of the Washington, D.C. memorials directly to veterans, even at their bedside. The Central Missouri Honor Flight completed its 71st and final flight in September 2025 due to the declining number of eligible veterans and other factors. Hill's work and the organization's efforts have been widely recognized for providing closure and recognition to thousands of veterans.

11/13/2025

How the Honor Flight began

The Honor Flight began in 2005 with Earl Morse,a retired Air Force Captain and physician's assistant in Ohio, who wanted to bring World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the newly completed World War II Memorial. Realizing most veterans couldn't afford to travel on their own, Morse asked fellow pilots at an aero club for help, and 11 pilots volunteered to fly veterans for free. The first Honor Flight, co-founded with Jeff Miller, took 12 veterans to D.C. in small planes on May 21, 2005, marking the start of the Honor Flight Network.
Initial idea: After the World War II Memorial opened in 2004, Morse realized that many of his World War II veteran patients would never get to visit due to financial and support limitations.
First trip: Morse took two of his patients on a free flight to Washington, D.C. and was overwhelmed by their joy.
Pilot volunteers: He then pitched the idea of volunteering to pilots at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base aero club, and 11 pilots immediately volunteered to fly veterans and personally es**rt them around D.C..
Official launch: By January 2005, a board was formed, funds were raised, and other volunteers joined. The first official flight took place on May 21, 2005, carrying 12 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C..
Expansion: The idea quickly caught on, and the program expanded to include veterans from other conflicts and is now known as the Honor Flight Network.

11/11/2025

November 11th is a day we remember.. 🌺.. Thank you for your Service!.. 🌺