The Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Veterans Corporation is ending its mission and will not host any more airshows, in Jefferson City or elsewhere.
Jessica Houston, media chair for the nonprofit, confirmed the news, which was announced via the group's Facebook page and website Wednesday afternoon.
"It is with a heavy heart we have to inform those who have supported our mission that the Salute to Veterans Airshow will not pursue another venue and continue in the future," Houston said in a written statement.
The post reads, in part: "It has been the mission of the Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Weekend Corporation 'to Honor and Remember those who have served and are serving in our Armed Forces, Guard, Reserves and our Allies.' We have accomplished this mission thanks to the dedication, contributions and countless hours committed by many wonderful individuals, volunteers and organizations."
In May, the Salute to Veterans celebration, which would have been the first for the group in Jefferson City, was canceled due to anticipated flooding at Jefferson City Memorial Airport. It was the first cancellation in the celebration's 31-year history.
In the past, the celebration, which includes an airshow and other events, had been held at the Columbia Regional Airport.
At the time of the cancellation, Mary McCleary Posner, chairwoman of the Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Veterans Corporation, said they still planned to bring the 2020 airshow to Jefferson City.
Houston said the logistics of the event have been challenged due to the unavailability of both the Jefferson City Memorial Airport and the Columbia Regional Airport.
The Columbia airport is currently in the process of building a new terminal, with beginning construction planned to take place in summer 2020, according to the project timeline on the airport's website - which would coincide with the Memorial Day celebration.
The Jefferson City Memorial Airport, located in Callaway County, was hit with heavy flooding this spring, causing major damage to the terminal and covering the runways. The airport reopened in July, but the terminal was recommended for demolition by Jefferson City Public Works staff and has not reopened.
Airport Manager Ron Craft said Thursday he had heard talks from the organization about the event possibly being canceled.
"It was going to be, logistically, really difficult for them to have an airshow," Craft said.
Craft said part of the discussion with the group had been the possible lack of a terminal building to use during the show, as well as other airport repairs that might not be complete before May 2020.
Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin shared her appreciation for the organization and what it has done for the area.
"We appreciate what the Salute to Veterans Airshow has brought to the Mid-Missouri area for many years and appreciate all they've done for veterans," Tergin said. "It's a very important cause, and we are sorry to hear that it's not continuing."