The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:45 PM
Honor Air Knoxville Taking 26th Flight to Washington DC Taking Vets From World War II, Korea and Vietnam
The veterans flew from McGhee Tyson Airport to the capitol to visit the memorials. Though it's not the first trip for Army veteran Jackie Bryant, he said it's the first time he's gone with other veterans.
Bryant served in the 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, as well as the 173rd Airborne divisions, serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He said he returned to Vietnam in February 1968 for the Tet Offensive, but only stayed for six months. Bryant said this trip will have meaning for him.
"It'll be different because a lot of things that we're going to be seeing this time, I'll be able to understand it a lot better," Bryant said. "Before, I visited the wall and I wasn't there that long, but there was a couple of names that I would like to look up when I get there this time."
Bryant said he planned to take some paper, place it on the wall and rub it with a pencil to get a copy of the names he wanted to save.
"This is something that's real great," Bryant said. "I think I'm going to enjoy this trip."
Bryant said his wife will be at the airport to welcome him home Wednesday evening. The flight returns to Knoxville at 8 p.m., and the public is welcome to attend the welcome home ceremony at the airport.
