Central Missouri Honor Flight

 Flight Date is: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

CMHF will be departing from the Courtyard Marriott approximately 2:00 am. returning that evening to the

Courtyard Marriott at (time to be annouced soon. 

STAGING AT:  time TBA - at the Firefighters Memorial in Kingdom City, MO



Letter to: To All Honor Flight Riders,

As we arrived at Baltimore Airport Tuesday evening, we received a call from Southwest Airlines advising us our return flight had been delayed for over 3 hours. I immediately thought of you guys - without those bikes on I-70 and at the hotel, the most emotional and meaningful leg of the trip for these veterans simply doesn't happen.  I quickly did the math and realized that would put us into Kingdom City around 12:30 am.  I've been the flight director on all 14 flights and I have never been that stressed.

I called Reed Hickam to give him the news. I'm sure he sensed the anxiety in my voice.   I will never forget his response.  He immediately and calmly said, "We'll be there".  And there, you were.  Over 120 of you waited into the the late hours in a lonely parking lot to give these guys an incredibly special memory and your own personal salute.

You simply do not know how meaningful your efforts are.  When you are passing those buses, there is not a dry eye on board.  We received a call from a veteran Wednesday, thanking us for the experience.  He wanted us to, particularly, thank the motorcycle guys - he said he couldn't get over how many there were that late at night.  I spoke to a guardian Friday morning who escorted his dad - he said they couldn't stop the tears all the way from Kingdom City to the hotel.  He said his dad just can't stop talking about "all those motorcycles".  Quite frankly, many simply cannot believe you guys do that just for them - we have to constantly respond to this question, "Are you sure this is for us?"

Most of these veterans never had a homecoming.  They got off a troop ship, were discharged through a processing center on the dock and found a way home.  They walked, unannounced, into their parents' home then, went back to work or went to school.  You play such an enormous part in giving them the homecoming they never got and so richly deserve. 

They also often tell us that they believe they have been forgotten and that no one really appreciates what they did.  It is our intent, throughout the day, to change their opinion. You folks, very dramatically, send the biggest (and loudest) message in that regard.  You are critically important to this effort.

Thank you for all you do and for not letting them down last Tuesday night.

As we come under that overpass, I ask them to look to their right and I say, "Ladies and Gentleman, to your right are over 100 of the greatest patriots you will ever meet - the Central Missouri Honor Flight Riders - they are here to take you the rest of the way home".  You are, indeed, Great Patriots and Great  Americans and you continue to prove that on every Honor Flight.  I am so proud to work with all of you on this very important mission!

Most Sincerely,

Steve Paulsell
Flight Director
Central Missouri Honor Flight

April 9, 2011

The Central Missouri Honor Flight Riders are motorcyclists who volunteer to escort our honored veterans on the return leg of their one-day honor flight journey to Washington, D.C.  Veterans returning to Columbia do not know that the Central Missouri Honor Flight Riders await them at Kingdom City.  The veterans are often moved to tears when they see hundreds of riders passing by their buses, saluting.  Once back at the Courtyard Marriott hotel, riders join in the welcoming festivities as our WWII veterans come off the bus(es) and make their way through the cheering crowd of families and friends into the hotel lobby.

There is no formal organization or membership involved – just patriotic motorcyclists bound together by one common and important desire – to honor our veterans of prior conflicts and say thank you to them in a unique and moving way.  To become a part of this important and emotional experience, simply show up at the appointed time above.  It is, indeed, an experience you will never forget!

               To the Honor Flight Riders,

   On behalf of over 833 WWII veterans that have already completed their Honor Flight experience with us and those yet to fly, we thank you all for your incredible expression of patriotism and support you extend to these great Americans.  Words cannot express how emotional they become when you pass those buses and create a string of red in front of them that extends for miles.  Of all the surprises, sights and touching moments they experience on their 22 hour journey, when asked, the veterans will always rank the motorcycle tribute in the top 3 most meaningful, appreciated and powerful events of the entire trip.

                 Central Missouri Honor Flight Board of Directors

 https://www.facebook.com/honor.flight.riders

Tips for Riding in the Honor Flight Escort

Arrive Prepared.  Arrive on time with a full tank of gas.  Check the Central Missouri Honor Flight website for upcoming flight dates and times.  As commercial air flight times vary, so do our arrival times at Kingdom City inbound to Columbia.  Bikers should arrive at the designated times and stage on the parking lot of the Firefighters Memorial (NW corner of I-70 and Hwy. 54 interchange at Kingdom City.  Ride leaders will conduct riders briefing.

Staffing.  There will be two ride leaders coordinating the escort with law enforcement and the bus(es) carrying the veterans.   There will also be five safety riders positioned throughout the escort monitoring the escort and watching for safety issues.  All designated personnel will be visible by armbands.  Please adhere to their efforts to maintain everyone’s safety.

Start of Escort.  Approximately 20 minutes prior to arrival of bus(es) carrying veterans, Ride Leaders will move escort onto westbound entrance ramp to I-70.  As bus(es) pass under the HWY 54 overpass, the bus(es) will slow to 50mph.  The Highway Patrol will lead the escort off the ramp, reaching a road speed of 60 mph.  Bus(es) will remain in right lane so that escort riders may pass in the left lane.

Ride in Formation.  The staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards.  The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. 

Avoid side-by-side formations, as they reduce the space cushion.  If you suddenly needed to swerve to avoid a hazard, you would not have room to do so.  You don’t want handlebars to get entangled.

As You Pass the Bus(es), remain observant of the road and riders ahead.  While it is tempting to look into the bus windows, it is more important that you maintain your safety and spacing.  If you wish to salute or raise your arm upward in honor of the veterans and feel you can do that safely, feel free to do so.  Do not stand up or reduce your speed – you have bikes coming up behind you.

If you fall behind, do not accelerate rapidly to catch up.  This can create what is called a “rubber band effect” where multiple bikes find themselves rapidly increasing and decreasing speeds, posing significant safety hazards.  Simply maintain your speed – the gap WILL close on its own – don’t push it!

Upon Approach to Hotel, the procession will slow – be patient.  Motorcycles will pass through receiving area at hotel entrance and park in lot immediately north of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel (between hotel and Zimmer Broadcasting).

Should You Have Further Questions, please contact Honor Flight Riders Leaders Reed Hickam @  (573) 489-2158 or Mike Helm @ (573) 673-1835.

Lodging Note:  For those of you riding some distance to join us on our evening escort, should you desire not to ride back home late at night, the Courtyard Marriott Hotel offers reduced room rates for members of the Central Missouri Honor Flight Riders.  Their number is (573) 443-8000.