A Special Day for Veterans

Covenant Health representatives support HonorAir Knoxville Flight 33

As the plane taxied down the runway, two tanker trucks spouted large bursts of water in honor of the passengers, creating an archway for the plane to tunnel through as it took off for its destination.

It was the biannual flight of HonorAir Knoxville, an organization whose mission is to recognize Veterans in East Tennessee. The nonprofit organizes day trips for WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans to travel from East Tennessee to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to honor their sacrifice. The special day is offered at no charge to the veteran.

Covenant Health has sponsored HonorAir flights since HonorAir’s inception in 2007. In 16 years, there have been 33 HonorAir flights serving more than 4,100 veterans. Covenant Health has proudly sent a representative on all 33 flights.

On Oct. 4, 2023, at 6 a.m., 134 veterans of the U.S. armed forces arrived at McGhee Tyson airport for a very special day. Early that morning, local elected officials and Covenant Health leaders gave remarks at a short program. As the special guests boarded an airplane, they were met with red, white and blue decorations, elevating the mood of veterans and volunteers as they boarded.

Gordon Lintz is the president and chief administrative officer of Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System, a member hospital of Covenant Health. He has more than 30 years of combined administrative leadership and nursing experience. He serves on the board of several local non-profits in Morristown and has earned several accolades and recognition in his role as a leader and hospital administrator.

Lintz said, “Veterans apply from across East Tennessee to come participate. As a volunteer on Flight 33, I was assigned five veterans for whom I was responsible the day of the flight.”

Once in D.C., the veterans load onto buses and proceed to the Air Force Memorial. The next stop is the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and then on to the World War II Memorial. Veterans are given paper and pencils if they want to etch the name of someone on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  The next stop is the Marine Corp Memorial and on to Arlington Cemetery and to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Once in D.C., the veterans load onto buses and proceed to the Air Force Memorial. The next stop is the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and then on to the World War II Memorial. Veterans are given paper and pencils if they want to etch the name of someone on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  The next stop is the Marine Corp Memorial and on to Arlington Cemetery and to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Upon returning home, the celebration at McGhee Tyson airport was in full swing. The travelers are met with a welcome-home celebration including balloon arches, music, military personnel as well as family and friends cheering and thanking them for their service.

“This is probably the most emotional part of the day for many veterans, as this is not the welcome home they received from Vietnam,” said Lintz. “133 of our 134 veterans on this flight served during Vietnam. One man told me on the plane ride that his son was born during his tour in Vietnam, and when he stepped off the plane and saw his 4-month-old son for the first time, people were cussing and spitting on him. Others shared stories of injuries they received during the war.  One vet explained there is a bond between fellow veterans, even those who just met, because of the war-time experiences shared. The bond was very evident throughout the day.”

Mike Ayres, MD, is a cardiologist with Covenant Health, who was also on this flight. Dr. Ayres has been on more than twenty flights since 2012. In addition to a physician, there are paramedics and nurses on each flight in case any travelers require medical care.

“It’s my way of thanking them for their service. I became interested in Honor Air because I have a lot of veteran patients,” Dr. Ayres said. “They have great life experiences and this is a wonderful event. For the Vietnam veterans it’s amazing to see people celebrate and finally welcome them home.”

Lintz said, “My father is a veteran. But after this experience, I certainly have a greater appreciation for military service and sacrifice. I am grateful to work for an organization who respects and honors our veterans.”

Covenant Health is a proud sponsor of HonorAir Knoxville. The health system is also a Level V member of “We Honor Veterans,” a national hospice and palliative care organization and department of veterans affairs initiative that supports veterans and their families during end-of-life care. Covenant Health established a military recognition program in 2020 to better serve our patients who are military personnel that receive medical care in our ambulatory and acute-care facilities.

Learn more information about HonorAir Knoxville or how Covenant Health supports our veterans.