Our friend Rudy Blahnik is a long-time member of American Legion Post 41 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 473. Here is his report on the Honor Flight Of The Ozarks:
“I recently had the experience of being selected to go on the Honor Flight of the Ozarks. It was a long wait from the time I applied for the flight, but let me assure you, it was worth the wait.
I have never felt more honored, more appreciated or more recognized with genuine gratitude than has been shown me on this trip. Every detail was planned out in advance, there was nothing left to question.
As the group readied for departure from Springfield, we began with the presentation of a huge American Bald Eagle bowing to us in prayer. Then, as we headed for the gate, we were met with several Honor Guard Units beginning with the Jr. ROTC and a large group of well-wishers as a send-off party.
The flight to Washington DC was pleasant and the buses that met our flight were exclusively for the Veterans and Volunteer Staff. As the buses departed the airport, we had a full Police Escort to the Memorial Park and back to the airport at the end of the tour, including a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the Guard. WHAT A DAY!
To top it off, when we arrived back in Springfield we were met by a Welcome Home Event that literally brought me to tears. I can’t even tell you how many Honor Guard Units were there to meet us. I could barely see them and the warm crowd of people that were there to Welcome us Home because of the tears flowing down my face. I have never experienced anything like this. My heart bursts with pride. Thank You. If any Veteran out there desires to go on the Honor Flight, go for it! It will be the best day of your life.”
The website: honorflightofhteozarks.org.
The organization makes three flights a year in May, August and October, so get your application in early!
Texas County area veterans organizations:
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 473 meets on the last Thursday of each month at 1800 at their Post Meeting Hall on Highway 63 north of Cabool.
- American Legion Post 559 meets at 1800 on the second Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post 6337 meeting hall in Licking.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6337 meets each third Monday of the month at 1730 in Licking at their Meeting Hall on Main Street just south of Highway 32.
- Fleet Reserve Association Branch 364 meets at 1430 every fourth Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 41 meeting hall in Houston. The FRA exists to serve all veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.
- American Legion Post 41 meets at 1800 on the second Thursday of each month at their meeting hall on the west end of Chilton Oil Company in Houston (just north of Pizza Hut). Changes to membership eligibility now allow U.S. veterans of all branches and periods of service to join the American Legion.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7222 meets at 1800 on the first Thursday of each month at their meeting hall just east of Summersville.
Houston resident Robert E. Simpson is a retired U.S. Navy chief electronics technician who served from 1969 to 1990. Email gfjjkaa@gmail.com.
I am the daughter of deceased veterans and family. WWI grandpa, WWII dad & step-dad, uncle Basil, and a father-in-law, two Vietnam War brothers. I am also a military spouse to an Army fella. He is a veteran and was in the 399th Army Band that recently dismantled. I would like thank you many times over for representing our veterans in the community. Your story brought me to happy tears. What an honor, congratulations. Virtual hand-shake. Love your story and grateful for the memories.