HonorAir Knoxville

Day Trip to Washington, DC

I had the honor of being a Volunteer Escort on HonorAir Knoxville’s 34th trip taking Veterans to Washington, DC to visit several of the monuments. On this trip, 132 Veterans ranging from World War II to Vietnam gathered at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN and traveled via an American Air Airbus A321 to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, VA. From there, we toured the Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the Guard Change and Wreath Laying Ceremonies, Marine Corps War Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. This long day ended with a flight back to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN where the Veterans were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of well wishers and family.

10Apr24

Knoxville to Washington, DC

The day began with a 4am wake up in order to be at McGhee Tyson Airport by 5:45 am to prepare to greet the Veterans. A huge crowd gathers as we prepare everyone for the flight to DC. An Honor Guard and well wishers greeted the Veterans on their way through the airport to the aircraft. We loaded up into the American Airways Airbus A321 jet and we were on our way. Upon arrival at Reagan Washington National Airport, signs thanking the Veterans were visible outside the aircraft.

U.S. Air Force Memorial

The first stop on the tour of DC was at the U.S. Air Force Memorial. This memorial is located on a hill overlooking the Pentagon and downtown Washington, DC. The three immense spires are nearly impossible to capture in a single picture while standing next to it. The base of the memorial was under construction. So we could not go into the middle of the spires. There was also construction happening next to the memorial. Either end of the memorial has some excellent statues and displays. Note that one of the statues in the Honor Guard lineup is a woman.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Second stop on the Washington, DC tour was at Arlington National Cemetery to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We were in luck and the Veterans were able to watch the Changing of the Guard and Wreath Laying Ceremonies. These solemn ceremonies are conducted with incredible precision and reverence by the soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard." Driving through the numerous cemetery sections and seeing the thousands of grave markers is quite the sobering experience.

Changing of the Guard and Wreath Laying Ceremonies

U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

Sometimes referred to as the “Iwo Jima Memorial.” The third stop was at the memorial dedicated in 1954 to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775. The statue is based on the World Famous Joe Rosenthal photograph of the second U.S. flag raising on Mount Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Fourth stop on the DC tour is the Korean War Veterans Memorial that memorializes those who served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. It includes 19 statues representing U.S. military personnel in action. This is one of the most impressive memorials that I have had the honor to visit. It truly gives the viewer a feeling of standing among the soldiers as they walk a combat patrol.

Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument

The Lincoln Memorial is a U.S. national memorial that honors the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It sits between the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at one end of the National Mall. We stopped for a moment to view it and the Washington Monument from a distance.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The memorial honoring service members of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam War was the fifth stop on the tour. This two-acre site is dominated by two black granite walls engraved with the names of those service members who died or remain missing as a result of their service in Vietnam and South East Asia during the war. The memorial is alway crowded with people looking for the names of loved ones, friends and neighbors. Another interesting aspect of the Vietnam Memorial is all the personal memorials people leave behind at the wall for their loved ones.

World War II Memorial

The sixth and final stop on the tour was at a gigantic, two sided memorial dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II. The Atlantic Theatre is represented on one side of the fountain pool. The Pacific Theatre represented on the other side.

Washington, DC back to Knoxville, TN

Our time in Washington, DC has come to an end. It is time to return back to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN. After a short wait at Reagan Washington National Airport, we board the same American Airlines Airbus A321 that brought us to Washington and return back to Tennessee for a tremendous welcome home celebration.

Aircraft Spotting

I took the opportunity to capture as many aircraft flying overhead or on the ground as I could while on the trip to Washington, DC. Each airport and memorial we stopped at offered up some great looks at various aircraft passing by. The highlight of the day was a very close flyby of a Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King helicopter, otherwise known as “Marine One” when the president is onboard.

Departure and Arrival Photos

A very good friend offered to take photos of our departure from and arrival to McGhee Tyson airport in Knoxville, TN.

Presented here with his permission. A BIG shout out and thanks to Bruce Kawakami for doing this.

 

The Flight To And From Washington, DC with Water Canon Salutes

I took the opportunity while on the flight to video a takeoff and the landings. On departure from McGhee Tyson and landing at Reagan Washington National Airports, we were treated to a water cannon salute.

 
 
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