How many East Tennessee veterans have been transported to Washington D.C. since the program began?

The flight has transported over 4,500 East Tennessee veterans to Washington D.C. for memorial visits since its inception.

Who sponsors the HonorAir Knoxville program?

The program is presented by Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo, with Covenant Health as a major sponsor.

What expenses are covered in each trip?

Each all-expense-paid trip includes a chartered flight and tours of the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Marine, and Air Force Memorials.

What significant ceremony do veterans attend at Arlington National Cemetery?

Veterans also attended the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

How much does each flight cost, and how is it funded?

Each flight costs over $100,000 and relies on donations; the organization is a 501(c)(3), making contributions tax-deductible.

What are some personal sentiments expressed by veterans regarding their trip?

Charles Buttell had longed to visit D.C., and John Hammons wanted to honor his childhood friend who died in combat.

How did the community show support during the veterans' return?

Hundreds of family and community members were present to greet veterans upon their return, showcasing community support and pride.

September 30, 2025

HonorAir Knoxville Completes 37th Flight for Local Veterans

Knoxville, TN, September 30, 2025

News Summary

HonorAir Knoxville successfully completed its 37th flight, transporting over 130 East Tennessee veterans to Washington D.C. for an all-expense-paid trip to visit memorials honoring their service. The program has proudly taken more than 4,500 veterans to the nation’s capital, allowing them to reflect on their sacrifices at significant memorial sites. Supported by local sponsors, the initiative underscores the strong community involvement and appreciation for these veterans, highlighted by a memorable welcome back event at McGee Tyson Airport.

Knoxville, Tennessee

HonorAir Knoxville completed its 37th flight on September 24, 2025, transporting over 130 East Tennessee veterans to Washington D.C. for an all-expense-paid trip to visit memorials honoring their service.

Since its inception, this program has taken more than 4,500 East Tennessee veterans to the nation’s capital, offering them a chance to reflect on their sacrifices at significant sites, including the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Marine, and Air Force Memorials. The veterans on the recent flight included members from Roane County, such as Robert Johnson, John Hammons II, Gary Guinn, Tommy Parks, Wiley Pope, Michael Sheldon, and David Swenson.

The initiative, which is presented by Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo and has Covenant Health as a major sponsor, operates primarily through donations. Each flight costs over $100,000, and the organization is recognized as a 501(c)(3), making contributions tax-deductible. The most recent flight featured a chartered flight and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where the veterans participated in the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

The send-off for the veterans at McGee Tyson Airport was attended by local Boy Scouts, Congressman Tim Burchett, and Knox County Mayor Glen Jacobs, showcasing strong community support. Eddie Mannis, President of Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo and Founder of HonorAir Knoxville, highlighted the importance of community involvement in the success of the program.

Many veterans expressed personal sentiments regarding their trip. For instance, Charles Buttell had longed to visit Washington D.C., while John Hammons wanted to pay tribute to a childhood friend who lost his life in combat. Roy Minton honored those friends who were unable to attend and was accompanied by his son for emotional support as they participated in this significant journey.

The event concluded with hundreds of family and community members welcoming the veterans back, indicating the pride and appreciation that the community holds for their service.

Individuals interested in supporting the program or seeking more information can find resources on the HonorAir Knoxville website.

FAQ

When did HonorAir Knoxville complete its 37th flight?: HonorAir Knoxville completed its 37th flight on September 24, 2025.
How many East Tennessee veterans have been transported to Washington D.C. since the program began?: The flight has transported over 4,500 East Tennessee veterans to Washington D.C. for memorial visits since its inception.
Which veterans from Roane County participated in the recent flight?: The Roane County veterans on the trip included Robert Johnson, John Hammons II, Gary Guinn, Tommy Parks, Wiley Pope, Michael Sheldon, and David Swenson.
Who sponsors the HonorAir Knoxville program?: The program is presented by Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo, with Covenant Health as a major sponsor.
What expenses are covered in each trip?: Each all-expense-paid trip includes a chartered flight and tours of the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Marine, and Air Force Memorials.
What significant ceremony do veterans attend at Arlington National Cemetery?: Veterans also attended the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
How much does each flight cost, and how is it funded?: Each flight costs over $100,000 and relies on donations; the organization is a 501(c)(3), making contributions tax-deductible.
What are some personal sentiments expressed by veterans regarding their trip?: Charles Buttell had longed to visit D.C., and John Hammons wanted to honor his childhood friend who died in combat.
How did the community show support during the veterans’ return?: Hundreds of family and community members were present to greet veterans upon their return, showcasing community support and pride.

Key Features of HonorAir Knoxville’s Program

Feature	Description
Recent Flight Date	September 24, 2025
Total Veterans Transported	Over 4,500
Veterans on Recent Flight	Over 130
Sponsorship	Prestige Cleaners, Prestige Tuxedo, Covenant Health
Tour Sites	WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Marine, and Air Force Memorials
Cost Per Flight	Over $100,000
Community Involvement	Boy Scouts, local officials, and community members

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Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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