OPT’s latest documentary honors veterans

Ozarks Public Television has produced a new documentary featuring a trip by U.S. veterans to visit monuments dedicated to their service in Washington, D.C.

The Springfield-based nonprofit Honor Flight of the Ozarks has been taking veterans on all-expenses-paid memorial trips for years, and now a feature-length film will memorialize the experience for them, according to those who worked on the film. OPT will broadcast the premiere, titled “In Gratitude: Honor Flight of the Ozarks,” at 8 p.m. March 28 and again at 8 p.m. April 1. The documentary also can be streamed on OPT’s website, Video.optv.org, beginning April 2.

“The mission of Honor Flight of the Ozarks is a powerful testament to the importance of honoring and remembering the sacrifices made by our service members and is a potent reminder of the impact that a single act of kindness can have on the lives of those who have served our country,” said OPT General Manager Rachel Knight, in a news release. “For many of these veterans, this is the first time they receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve for their service.”

Produced by OPT’s Brent Slane, the documentary captures the experiences and emotions as the veterans visit various monuments and memorials – including those of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam – and remember their fallen comrades. He said it culminates in a welcome home celebration for the veterans.

“The emotional connection viewers will gain meeting these veterans and hearing their stories about what makes this trip so special to them brings home the importance of the mission of Honor Flight of the Ozarks,” said Slane, in the release. “It was a real privilege to be invited along with these veterans on their journey and to get to know them and see the dedication so many volunteers put into making their trip so special.”  

Honor Flight of the Ozarks is an independent hub of the national Honor Flight Network, which started in 2005 and now has nearly 130 regional hubs. According to its website, the network has flown nearly 275,000 veterans to the capital.

To help the cause, the board- and volunteer-led Ozarks hub last year received a $38,770 donation from a radiothon by Zimmer Midwest Communications Inc. and last month the organization announced a $10,000 grant from Webster Electric Foundation Inc.

Its next flight, which organizers say cost $150,000 apiece, is scheduled May 29, according to its website, and two more are planned later this year.