KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — HonorAir Knoxville’s Flight 35 with 141 female veterans on board, made for a lot of memories during the trip to Washington, D.C. on September 25.
“This is the best trip of my life,” said Air Force veteran Rosalind Martin, choking back tears. “To be with these women today. It means a lot to me.”
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That sentiment was echoed throughout the day. Veterans took in the larger-than-life Korean War Veterans Memorial. At the Vietnam Memorial, some found the names of family friends among the 58,000 names of those who died in service to our country inscribed on the wall. Eight of those names belong to women.
Air Force veteran Jana Johnson walked along the wall, running her fingers over so many names.
“Just kind of wondering what their story was,” she said.
The group also made a special trip to the Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The inscription on the statue of a female soldier and her dog reads; “Honoring all women of the U.S. military past, present and future -the pledge: to protect and defend our country.”