PHOTO SUBMITTED

World War II veteran Reed Vassar (left) poses with his son and
guardian Reed Vassar, Jr. and veteran Bill Williamson of Cosby
while they wait for their HonorAir Knoxville flight to Washington
D.C. to see the World War II Memorial.

One hundred two East Tennessee World War II veterans from twelve counties traveled to Washington D.C., Oct. 17 to see the World War II Memorial.

They were flown by HonorAir Knoxville, a program established and presented by Prestige Cleaners. Major sponsors of the flight are Covenant Health Systems and Home Federal Bank. This was the sixth trip taken by HonorAir.  To date, more than 600 East Tennessee veterans have participated in the program.

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 Congressman Jimmy Duncan and Mayor Bill Haslam participated.  They were welcomed home by a large crowd of friends, family and HonorAir supporters. Veterans were greeted by patriotic music from 50 members of the Powell High School Marching Band and the sight of over a hundred patriotic balloons and American flags waving.

The one-day, all expense paid trip via a USAirways chartered flight includes tours of the Vietnam, Korean, Marine and Air Force Memorials.  In addition, the group saw the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and drove past the Navy Memorial. 

Eddie Mannis, President of Prestige Cleaners is Chairman of HonorAir Knoxville, retired Colonel Joe Sutter, US Air Force is the Flight Commander and Jim Cundall is the Flight Coordinator.  Thirty-four volunteer escorts flew to assist the veterans.

According to Mannis, "I have gone on each of our six flights and every time I am constantly reminded of why we refer to this group as "the greatest generation".  There are no words to express the emotion all our volunteers on the trip felt as we watched the expressions on their faces when they saw the World War II Memorial for the first time.  These veterans made a great sacrifice for their country in a war that is one of the worst our country has ever endured.  We are proud to honor this group of special people."

Sixteen million Americans served in World War II. Now there are approximately a little more than 2 million veterans alive.  According to national statistics they are dying at a rate of anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 a day so one of HonorAir Knoxville's goals is to take as many area veterans as possible on these special flights.

Another HonorAir Knoxville flight is tentatively planned for 2010.  However, according to Mannis, future flights will be dependent on the level of funding the program receives from the community. HonorAir has partnered with the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville, a 501 (c) (3) organization so all donations are tax deductible.  Anyone wishing to support the program should send checks to Rotary Foundation of Knoxville, 625 Market Street, Suite 1400, Knoxville, TN 37902.  Donations can also be made via PayPal at honorairknoxville.com.