June 2008, Volume 20, Number 3 - UTIA!

HONOR AIR-KNOXVILLEDr. James Pointer, retired Professor, Ornamental Horticulture andLandscape Design, a World Wart II veteran, shares his experiencevisiting Washington DC with Knoxville area veterans.Honor Air-Knoxville, an organization founded byEddie Mannis, President and CEO of Prestige Cleaners,to recognize American Veterans for their sacrifice andachievements during World War II and reward themwith a free trip to Washington, DC, to see the WWIIMemorial and other historical monuments.I was fortunate to be among 113 Veterans scheduledon the second chartered flight May 21, 2008. Let mesay up front that when I returned from WWII, I, likemillions of other veterans–and many of our Universityof Tennessee Extension Veterans will relate to that–were not received by bands, parades, etc., welcomingus home. We came home looking for jobs andopportunities knowing what we had accomplished inwar was our duty to our country.Honor Air-Knoxville made up for all we had missed63 years ago.At 7:00 a.m. we met at the Knoxville Airport wherewe were assigned to a Red, White, or Blue group anda Guardian–a leader responsible for four Veterans sowe would stay on schedule and not get lost. He wasresponsible for our every need to see that this trip wastruly a perfect experience.Before arriving at the airport safety clearance point,we passed through an Honor Guard represented bydifferent branches of Service, at attention saluting theVeterans, several people waving flags, and a bandplaying. After clearance, we heard the Knoxville Cityand Knox County Mayors make congratulatoryspeeches and met some of the sponsors of HonorAir–Knoxville. We then boarded our chartered U.S.Airways plane headed to Washington. As we left theterminal, fire engines sprayed an arch of water underwhich our plane passed during our departure.We were served breakfast on the plane, relaxed, andgot acquainted with those seated nearby. After about anhour and fifteen minutes and a smooth flight, wearrived at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airportwhere we were met by a large crowd from theAmerican Legion and other auxiliary groups, plus aband. Even the ground crew directing the plane to theproper concourse were waving American flags insteadof their usual flags, and a large number of employeesat the parking dock were also waving flags.I was wearing a 42nd Rainbow Division cap, andwhen I left the plan in Washington a U.S. Airwaysemployee ran up to me to shake hands and tell me thathe also served in the 42nd Rainbow Division. I did notask when, but his age would indicate years after I hadserved.There were three tour buses waiting for us. Theywere marked Red, White, or Blue for the three groups.But they had to wait until we had an opportunity toinspect the airport restrooms.With a police escort we left for the WWIIMemorial. I must say it is a spectacular place, morebeautiful than shown in pictures–a worthy tribute to allWWII service men and to a great nation.Senator Bob Dole was there to greet us, and laterour Tennessee Senators Alexander and Corker andCongressman John Duncan greeted us. We had a boxlunch in a large tent that was erected for us.After lunch we boarded buses and were off to theNavy, Vietnam, Korean, and Lincoln Memorials. Aswe were leaving the area, my White Bus caught on fire.I think an air conditioner compressor froze up and thebelts spinning on the compressor caught fire. We gotoff the bus in front of the U.S. Department ofAgriculture building and waited 45 minutes for anotherbus to be dispatched.This caused us to be behind schedule and we had tosettle for a drive-by visit to the Air Force, Navy, andMarine Memorials in order to pick up our schedule forthe Changing of the Guard at Arlington NationalCemetery, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.After a very solemn and beautiful Changing of theGuard and Changing of the Wreath, we departed for theAirport to return home. Other historical points ofinterest were pointed out to us as we traveled–theWashington and Jefferson Monuments, the Capitol,and General Robert E. Lee's Home. No one mentionedthat Arlington Cemetery is situated on General Lee'sFarm which was confiscated from him for his role inthe Confederate War.We received special treatment while clearing airportsecurity. We were not required to take off our shoes orshow our boarding pass!We had a box dinner in flight to Knoxville andarrived around 7:45 p.m. to another royal welcomefrom airport employees, visitors, and family members.It was truly a marvelous trip, and I will always begrateful to Eddie Mannis, Prestige Cleaners ofKnoxville, other sponsors, and all those who worked sohard to make this trip possible.James Pointer (as of May 27, 2008)FUTIAWA Newsletter 20-3page 5