11/14/2025
Sarah Hill, an accomplished and experienced interactive news anchor at KOMU-TV in mid-Missouri, played a vital role in the establishment of the Central Missouri Honor Flight program. Her news story about an Honor Flight for veterans in another location inspired local community members, including Mary and Steve Paulsell, to create a similar program in Columbia. Hill's initial news report highlighted the profound impact of Honor Flights on veterans, motivating a group of community members to co-found the Central Missouri chapter. This chapter ultimately provided over 5,600 veterans with the opportunity to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C. Hill remained involved with the organization even after leaving KOMU, as evidenced by a Facebook post mentioning her participation in a later flight as a motorcycle es**rt. Recognizing that some aging veterans were physically unable to travel, Hill launched the 'Honor Everywhere' program in 2015. This initiative utilizes virtual reality to bring 360-degree, immersive experiences of the Washington, D.C. memorials directly to veterans, even at their bedside. The Central Missouri Honor Flight completed its 71st and final flight in September 2025 due to the declining number of eligible veterans and other factors. Hill's work and the organization's efforts have been widely recognized for providing closure and recognition to thousands of veterans.