SPRINGDALE, Ark. – On Oct. 15, approximately 90 World War II veterans will visit memorials dedicated in their honor during a trip to Washington, DC, as part of the fourth Northwest Arkansas Honor Flight. A commercial jet has been chartered to fly the veterans free of charge from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Washington and back, thanks to major donations from Tyson Foods Inc. and the Walmart Foundation, as well as others.

Including veterans as old as 98, the group will visit the World War II Memorial and other military memorials during the day.


Tyson and the Walmart Foundation have each donated $25,000, which will cover most of the $65,000 expense for the trip. However, donations are being accepted to help cover the cost of another flight the organization hopes to schedule in the spring of 2012.

Those wanting to donate or having an interest in volunteering to help with a future flight, should contact:

Bill McKenzie, Tyson Aviation
10475 Tyson Place
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-290-5039
[email protected] 

Starting six years ago in Ohio when six small planes took 12 World War II veterans to see the memorial, the Honor Flight Network is a national non-profit organization. The first Northwest Arkansas Honor Flight was sponsored by Tyson and Walmart in October 2009.