SPRINGDALE, Ark. – On May 21, more than 90 World War II veterans from northwest Arkansas visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, as part of a trip Tyson Foods Inc. helped fund and organize. Called the “Honor Flight,” the trip, was planned in coordination with a national organization called the Honor Flight Network, which was established to “transport America's veterans to Washington to visit memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.”

A commercial jet was chartered to fly the veterans free of charge from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Washington DC and back through Tyson’s involvement and the support of the Wal-Mart Foundation and others. More than 40 volunteer guardians and medical personnel also took the flight, bringing the number of people on the trip to 145.


Veterans saw the World War II Memorial and other military memorials, during their day in the nation’s capital.

When they returned late Saturday to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, more than 150 people welcomed the veterans’ home. The crowd included family members, other military veterans, students and Tyson employees. The vets were cheered and applauded as they traveled through the airport terminal.

Organizers hope to schedule another Honor Flight for later this year. Anyone wanting to donate money to the Northwest Arkansas Honor Flight program or has interest in volunteering, should call, email or send a letter to:

Bill McKenzie, Tyson Aviation
10475 Tyson Place
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-290-5039
william.mckenzie@tyson.com 

Visit the Honor Flight Network for more information.