Northwest Arkansas ‘Honor Flight’ Set for October 15
October 6, 2011 – Almost 90 World War II veterans will visit memorials dedicated in their honor during a trip to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 15, as part of the fourth Northwest Arkansas Honor Flight.
Thanks to major donations from Tyson Foods, Inc. and the Walmart Foundation, as well as 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. The group, which will include veterans as old as 98, will see the World War II Memorial, as well as other military memorials, during their day in the nation’s capital.
Flight organizers, who include members of Tyson Foods’ Veteran’s Business Resource Group, encourage the public to be at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport terminal at 7:45 p.m., Saturday evening, to be part of a special return reception for the veterans.
Tyson and the Walmart Foundation have each donated $25,000, which will cover a majority of the $65,000 expense for the trip. Donations are being accepted to help cover the cost of another flight the organization hopes to schedule in the spring of 2012.
Anyone who wants to make a donation or has interest in volunteering to help with a future flight, should call, e-mail or send a letter to:
Bill McKenzie, Tyson Aviation
10475 Tyson Place
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-290-5039
william.mckenzie@tyson.com
Honor Flight Network is a national non-profit organization that started six years ago in Ohio, with six small planes taking a dozen World War II veterans to see the memorial. Tyson and Walmart sponsored the first Northwest Arkansas Honor Flight in October 2009.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers 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 services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 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.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
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Contact: Gary Mickelson, Tyson Foods, 479-290-6111 or gary.mickelson@tyson.com