Zachary Goldstein | United Hebrew Congregation

Zachary has a great deal of respect for the amazing men and women who serve our country. As a result, he found it fitting to support the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight for his mitzvah project. He was introduced to this organization through his cub scout troop and was impressed by its mission.

The group’s mission is to recognize U.S. veterans with a day of honor, remembrance and celebration by providing an all inclusive trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifice. Each trip is funded by the donations that St. Louis Honor Flight receives.

Son of Valarie Kornblet Goldstein and Jeffrey and Debra Goldstein of West County, Zachary took a hands-on role in his project. He baked sweets such as gooey butter bars, lemon bars, cake balls and chocolate chip covered Oreos, and then held an online bake sale. Each plate of sweets sold for $10. After all the plates were delivered, Zachary raised $1,140 to present to Honor Flight. 

Zachary, a student at Crestview Middle School, had the privilege of presenting his check twice, once to several staff members from the organization at one of his boy scout meetings and the other at a welcome home celebration.

On March 4, Zachary and his family joined others at the Southwest Airlines terminal to welcome home a group of Korean War veterans. It truly was a celebration as the band was playing and American flags were being waved. Prior to the veterans deplaning, Zachary was called up to present his check. He then stood in the receiving line, shaking hands while holding a flag, as the veterans came into the waiting area. The Greater St. Louis Honor Flight website states that many of its cherished veterans say, “That was the best day of my life.” This was the best day of Zachary’s life, too.