When the HonorAir flight lands tonight, the organization will have successfully completed 12 flights taking over 1,300 East Tennessee World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials built to honor their sacrifices.
HonorAir Knoxville is a program established and presented by Prestige Cleaners to honor veterans. Covenant Health has been a major sponsor of each of the flights taken to date.
One hundred thirty veterans are on today's flight. Scouts from the Smoky Mountain Council were on hand to greet veterans and escort them as they arrived at the airport this morning. After walking through an Honor Guard from the Knoxville Military Entrance Processing Station, the veterans received a send-off at McGhee Tyson Airport in which Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett participated. In addition, Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis, the 1968 Medal of Honor recipient, was on hand to greet veterans.
The one-day, all expense paid trip via a US Airways chartered flight includes tours of the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Marine and Air Force Memorials. In addition, the group will see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary.
Another HonorAir Knoxville flight is planned for October 3, 2012. However, future flights will be dependent on the level of funding the program receives from the community. Each flight costs about $60,000. HonorAir is a 501 (c)(3) organization so all donations are tax deductible. Anyone wishing to support the program should send checks to HonorAir Knoxville, 7536 Taggart Lane, Knoxville, TN 37938. Donations can also be made via PayPal on the HonorAir Knoxville website at
www.honorairknoxville.com