The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Update: April 6 at 10:00 a.m.:

The first Central Missouri Honor Flight of the year is back in Mid Missouri. After a slight delay in Baltimore, the veterans' buses rolled into Columbia shortly before 1:00 a.m. Wednesday.

More than 100 World War II and Korean War veterans, along with thier guardians, made the 24 hour whirl-wind trip to the nation's Capital. The veterans were from Columbia, Jefferson City, California, Mexico, Holts Sumitt, Eugene, Sunrise Beach and many other Missouri communities.

About 100 motorcycles joined the veterans' buses in Kingdom City and gave them a patriotic motorcade all the way to Columbia. When the veterans got off the bus, a large group of community residents were there to welcome them home. The veterans said it was an overwhelming, moving experience.

The Honor Flight schedule for May and June hasn't yet been determined.

Update: April 5 at 5:50 p.m.:

The Honor Flight will not arrive in Columbia until 12:30 a.m.

The flight back to Missouri was delayed in Baltimore by two and a half hours.

Original Story:

The first Mid-Missouri honor flight of the year is on its way this morning.

The group of more than 100 veterans and their guardians left Columbia early Tuesday morning headed to Washington D.C. The group will see the World War II memorial and other historical sites in the nation's capital.

The entire trip for the veterans is paid for by the non-profit group, Central Missouri Honor Flight.

The veterans will get back into Columbia Tuesday night. You’re invited to welcome them home. Organizers said to meet at Columbia’s Courtyard Marriott hotel on Lemone Industrial Drive no later than 10:00 p.m.

The public is encouraged to bring posters and friends to welcome the heroes home.

Have you, your parents or grandparents been on one of the Central Missouri Honor Flights? Or helped welcome the veterans home? If so, tell us what it was like in the comments section below.