Sherman’s Legacy Flight honors veterans on D-Day

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Jun 18 2026

Honor Flight Central Coast raises nearly $50,000 to support future trips to Washington, D.C.

PASO ROBLES — Veterans, community members, wine industry leaders, and volunteers gathered at the Estrella Warbirds Museum on Saturday, June 6, for a day dedicated to remembrance, recognition, and service as Sherman’s Legacy Flight joined with Honor Flight Central Coast California for the Wine & Dine PourFest: A Tribute to Sherman’s Legacy.

The legacy flight honors the memory of Sherman Smoot, a local aviator, Navy veteran, and longtime advocate for fellow veterans whose passion for aviation and military service continues to inspire the community.

The day began with Sherman’s Legacy Flight, a commemorative flight aboard "Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber," a historic C-47 aircraft based at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. Local veterans took part in the special flight, continuing a tradition that began in August 2022 when Smoot volunteered to fly veterans after learning many had missed Honor Flight opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"[Sherman] took 17 veterans up and took them out over to the coast," Lori Smoot, Sherman's widow, shared. "It was a clear day that day ... they flew out over towards the coast and went over the piers to honor the veterans lost at sea. And the veterans on the coast know that they're coming. They knew of the flight that first time, and now they know that every June 6 [the flight happens]."

Sherman Smoot died in a plane accident on Sept. 2, 2022. Since then, Lori has continued the tradition in his honor, ensuring local veterans take to the skies every D-Day aboard Betsy.

"I continue honoring Sherman with his love of veterans," she said. "His legacy, for me, is to be able to continue every D-Day, taking local veterans on a flight."

This year’s flight carried veterans from different eras of service. Following the flight, veterans and their immediate families gathered for lunch, for an opportunity to connect and share stories.

"We were all able to come together and have lunch and they were able to sit down and talk, which is very special for veterans to do because there's not a lot of times when you're sitting in a group of people where you could feel free to talk about your experiences at war," Lori said.

The aircraft itself carries its own military history. Although it arrived too late to participate in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, Betsy served with the Ninth Air Force during World War II and later participated in the Berlin Airlift. Today, it remains one of the most authentic flying C-47 aircraft in existence.

The day’s celebration continued with the Wine & Dine PourFest, bringing together Central Coast wineries, craft breweries, barbecue, live and silent auctions, and community supporters. The fundraiser directly benefits Honor Flight Central Coast California, which provides veterans with no-cost trips to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their service.

Guests enjoyed pours from nearly 20 wineries, craft beer selections, and a barbecue dinner featuring steak, sides, fresh-baked bread, and desserts. Auction items included travel packages, dining experiences, event tickets, and wine-related offerings.

Many participating wineries had longstanding connections to Smoot through his work in the Paso Robles wine industry.

"The wineries that did come to pour at the PourFest were a lot of people that Sherman knew in the industry," Lori said.

The evening proved to be a significant fundraising success for Honor Flight.

“With the auction and everything, we were close to $50,000,” said Bear McGill, chairperson of Honor Flight Central Coast California. “We only did this one other time, and we were a little over $20,000. We had a lot more donations this time. All the meat was donated, pretty much everything was donated for us.”

Honor Flight Central Coast California is part of a nationwide movement that began in 2005 when a physician assistant in Ohio helped a World War II veteran visit the newly completed World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Central Coast hub was established in 2014 by McGill and his son and has grown significantly over the past decade.

"Since that time, we have been able to move from a single flight with 25 veterans to taking charter flights with over 70 veterans on each trip," McGill said. "It's just amazing how the community has rallied around Honor Flight."

The organization prioritizes giving veterans an opportunity to visit landmarks such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and other sites honoring military service.

"When a veteran stands in front of the memorials dedicated to their service, something special happens," McGill said. "Memories are shared, friendships are renewed, and in many cases, burdens carried for decades begin to lift."

Honor Flight Central Coast volunteers are entirely unpaid, with all fundraising efforts directed toward sending veterans on the trips.

"Not one of our volunteers or board members gets paid to do this," McGill said. "We just do this out of the kindness of our heart because of the men and women who allow us to be here."

The organization’s next Honor Flight departs from Santa Maria on Sept. 15 and returns Sept. 17. Community members are encouraged to attend the homecoming celebration when veterans return.

Honor Flight’s next fundraising event, "Pints for Flights," will take place on June 28 at The Pour House. The event will feature classic cars and fundraising efforts to support future veteran trips to Washington, D.C.

For more information about Honor Flight Central Coast California, visit honorflightccc.org

Photos by Derek Luff/PRP