Bentonville, Arkansas – September 30, 2009 – More than 90 military veterans will visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. next month as part of the very first Arkansas Honor Flight, organizers and supporters announced today
Thanks to major donations from Tyson Foods, Inc. and the Walmart Foundation, as well as contributions from others, a commercial jet has been chartered to fly the veterans free of charge from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Washington D.C. and back on Saturday, October 17. Volunteer guardians and some medical personnel will also be on the flight.
The veterans will see the World War II Memorial and may also visit other nearby war memorials.
Honor Flight Network is a national non-profit organization that started four years ago in Ohio, with six small planes taking a dozen World War II veterans to see the memorial. Today, there are more than 70 hubs in 34 states and the organization’s mission is to “transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.” The recently-formed northwest Arkansas hub of Honor Flight Network is currently the only one in the state.
“This is an opportunity for us to recognize those who served our country so faithfully in the war,” said Bill McKenzie, director of Tyson Aviation, who coordinated the start of the northwest Arkansas hub. “We appreciate the financial support of Tyson Foods and the Walmart Foundation, as well as many other individual contributors. These funds allow us to offer this program at no cost to the veterans.”
“I think this trip is a wonderful thing and will mean a lot to people like me who served in the war,” said John D. Little of Kingston, Arkansas, who plans to be on the October 17th flight. “It’s nice to see this kind of support for the World War II boys.” Little served in the military for 21 years and was among the U.S. troops involved in Allied invasion of Normandy, France, in June 1944.
“It’s a privilege to honor our veterans by being a sponsor of this inaugural flight,” said Ken Kimbro, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Tyson Foods. “Our company employs many veterans and is a long-time supporter of the U.S. military, providing differential pay for employees called to active guard or reserve duty and sending ‘care packages’ to employees or friends and family of employees who are stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Tyson’s Springdale headquarters also recently started a Veterans Business Resource Group specifically for employees who are military veterans. Some members of this group plan to help with the upcoming northwest Arkansas Honor Flight.
“We appreciate the service and sacrifice of our nation's military men and women and our veterans, and have historically worked to address some of the special unmet needs facing the military community," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation.
Tyson and the Walmart Foundation have each donated $25,000, which will cover a majority of the $65,000 expense for the October 17 trip. However, more funding is still needed to cover some remaining expenses for the first flight, as well as help cover the cost of additional flights the local organization hopes to schedule in 2010.
“Available seats for war veterans on the inaugural northwest Arkansas flight are already filled,” McKenzie said. “In fact, we’ve had more than 200 applications for 90 openings. Since there are still many other area veterans who want to be part of this program, we hope to offer more trips to the nation’s capital.”
McKenzie reports there is still a need for guardians and other volunteers to help with the October 17 trip. The guardians, who must pay their own way, will help the veterans during the trip. Others are needed to help coordinate activities in northwest Arkansas before the group’s departure and after its return.
Anyone who wants to donate money to the northwest Arkansas Honor Flight program or has interest in volunteering, should call, e-mail or send a letter to Bill McKenzie. His contact information is below:
Bill McKenzie, Tyson Aviation
10475 Tyson Place
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-290-5039
william.mckenzie@tyson.com
For more information on the Honor Flight Network, click on the following internet link:
http://www.honorflight.org/about/index.cfm
About Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Contacts: Gary Mickelson, Tyson Foods, 479-290-6111 or gary.mickelson@tyson.com