How the Honor Tour began here

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

When Air Force veteran Rob Callahan saw the “Honor Flight” program, he said we need one of those.

Honor Flight was a program that flew World War II veterans to Washington D.C. so they could visit their memorial.

Rob was the coordinator for the First Midwest Bank Travel Club. He had the contacts to make it happen for Poplar Bluff. Rob gathered a staff of volunteers, raised money from local business and solicited veterans groups for attendees.

In 2006, the first “Missouri Honor Tour” was launched. It consisted of 30 World War II veterans from Butler County and surrounding areas.

They had a great send off. Flags, bands, police escorts, fire trucks, motorcycles and even a helicopter escorted them to St. Louis. Politicians, family members, JROTC cadets and bagpipes saw them off.

The veterans were stunned. One veteran said he was sore from shaking so many hands.

Poplar Bluff was proud.

They received standing ovations at the airport and on the plane.

“At first, they were very stoic and gruff old men,” bank executive Tucker Davis said. “But by the time they got to St. Louis, they were overcome with emotions. These men haven’t talked about the war for decades. Now, they were with their comrades again. Some discovered they served on the same ship and didn’t even know it. Others had seen combat in the same unit and were neighbors.”

Rob and his wife Donna coordinated several Honor Tour trips every year. This became a very popular program. Contributions rolled in and attendee lists grew. Many volunteered to assist the veterans as “guardians.”

Still a spry generation, the veterans walked through the sprawling memorial. They were VIP’s in Washington D.C. too. Vietnam veteran and former Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Colin Powell personally greeted the Missouri veterans. World War II veteran Senator Bob Dole came as often as he could to see his comrades. Vietnam veteran Lt. Col. Oliver North dined with our men at the end of the day.

The trips to the memorial still continues today. As the World War II generation has aged, fewer veterans are able to make the trip.

It is now the “Veterans Honor Tour,” consisting of World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans, managed by Jerry Sneathern.

The Poplar Bluff Museum proudly displays photos of past Honor Tours and the veterans who participated. There is even a place for our veterans to retire their dog tags alongside their comrades in the Kanell Hall Veterans Museum.

My dog tags are there, as are my father’s and son’s. I am proud of the company they keep. Come on by for a visit and be sure to bring your dog tags.

The museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.