KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — More than 130 East Tennessee women veterans left McGhee Tyson Airport on Wednesday, heading to Washington D.C. on a trip to show the group some of the memorials built in their honor. After a delayed return due to weather, families welcomed the veterans back to East Tennessee at around 9 p.m.
It marked Flight 35 for the HonorAir veterans program, which routinely brings veterans to the United States' capitol so they can have a chance to see the memorials meant to honor their service. The flight brings them to the Air Force Memorial, the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and several others.
It has previously brought groups of veterans from the Korean War, World War II and the war in Vietnam. Wednesday marked HonorAir's second flight dedicated solely to honoring women veterans.
“Oh, it’s so awesome. It’s like, we’re real. We really are. There’s veterans. These are women, and we’re being honored for a change," said Sandy Annis, a Vietnam War veteran.
It's free for veterans, and anyone interested in going on a flight can apply online. Eddie Mannis began HonorAir in 2007 and a volunteer team of staff members helps guide veterans through Washington D.C. to make sure their trip is comfortable.
On Wednesday, team members treated the group of women veterans to breakfast ahead of takeoff. The program shared videos and photos online of veterans lined through the airport, waiting to board the plane. Photos of local leaders helping see the group out, including Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, were also shared online. Republican Congressman Tim Burchett also visited the group in Washington.
When the group returned to East Tennessee, local leaders and families waved flags and cheered as they walked out from the plane. People packed the airport before its security checkpoints with balloons, signs and flags to cheer the returning veterans.