Veteran honored as part of last Knoxville Honor Air 38th cohort
Vietnam veteran, Major James “Jay” Wyrosdic, has lived a memorable life. A native Knoxvillian, “Mr. Jay” attended Central High before graduating from the University of Tennessee. He joined the Army in 1964 where he flew helicopters before becoming a flight instructor. One of his most memorable assignments was his three years at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where he supported NASA in the development of the Space Shuttle. The Farragut resident made a new memory with fellow combat veterans on April 8, 2026, as part of the last Knoxville Honor Air 38th cohort. Major Wyrosdic, 85, had been to D.C. with Sam, his wife of 64 years. But, this would be a different type of trip. “The Honor Air trip will be an exciting opportunity to see all of the monuments in a different environment than I have in the past. I am looking forward to seeing the monuments in Washington, D.C. I have never witnessed the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, so that is the thing I am most excited about.”
I met Mr. Jay through the James White Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution. He was honored at a Daughters of the American Revolution service event in January. CAR is a strong supporter of veterans, past and present. We attend a number of service events, wreath layings and, of course, Honor Air flights. CAR members make signs, pass out balloons and welcome service members home. Our chapter made special signs for this last flight.
Honor Air Knoxville was founded in 2007 by Eddie Mannis and a few friends who wanted to honor veterans with “boots-on-the-ground” experience. Their focus was veterans from the World Wars to Korea. Honor Air Flights take vets to Washington, D.C. to see monuments. They have escorts, and each vet receives a packet of letters thanking them for their service. Mr. Jay said he was amazed by the amount of mail he received on the return flight. Some were generically addressed to veterans, however, many addressed him by name. It was those small touches that made Honor Air such a gift to the vets they honored.
Nineteen years after its founding, Honor Air Knoxville had a full board of people dedicated to giving veterans the recognition many never received when they returned from service. It took 36 volunteers to run the last flight, plus escorts and many other hands on the ground. Mr. Mannis was committed to honoring every veteran who wanted to take the trip. April was the last flight because his waiting list was finally exhausted. Mr. Jay almost didn’t sign up. The major felt older vets had a priority. He is glad he was one of 134 who did.
Dawn brought a baggage claim area filled with boy scouts, well-wishers, snacks and politicians wishing the opponents a great trip. One of CAR’s own senior members served in the send-off nurses’ corps in crisp white uniforms and a hero’s cape. U.S. Rep Tim Burchett was a welcome face on both departure and return. Many families stood in line to take pictures with him. When Major Wyrosdick arrived in D.C. with the other honorees, he was impressed by the greeting. “I didn’t think the people would notice us, but as we entered the terminal, they stopped and began cheering and clapping.” Imagine how happy this made him and the other Vietnam vets on the flight. Mrs. Wyrosdick said they didn’t receive anything like that during the war.
The major did get to see the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The wreath-laying ceremony was moving and solemn. However, it was the teens he met on the outing that gave him hope for the future. At the WWII memorial, he encountered a “pleasant and polite” group from Rome, NY. A large contingent from Maryville High and Decatur High were among those in the causeway at TYS. “(It was) not a short drive for them. They were all wearing identical shirts for the occasion. Seeing these kids renews my belief that this country may not be in as bad shape as I had imagined.”
The cadets of Civil Air Patrol, the ladies of DAR and representatives of James White Children of the American Revolution greet each of the returning Honor Air missions. Flight 38 was no exception. Signs, American flags and banners were ready. The whole Wyrosdick clan turned out to welcome their hero “Pops” home. Mrs. Wyrosdick was interviewed by WBIR. She said it was wonderful to see the number of young people thanking those who served.
Incoming CAR President Sawyer Widner and a number of our younger CAR members came to welcome our vet home. The nearest future Honor Air flight will be in Nashville. So, we will not be welcoming any new flights home. However, CAR serves local veterans in a number of ways with our parent DAR and SAR chapters. Future activities include field trips, serving veteran breakfasts, helping with America 250 events and participating in memorials. However, seeing the grateful smiles of returning veterans will be missed.
Major Wyrosdick summarized the experience the best. “I was very proud to be a part of the last flight. I always knew I would like to go but put it off because I didn’t want to take up a spot that I felt should go to a WWII or Korean War veteran, but when they said it was the last one, I knew I had to do it.” We, the James White Chapter, were glad to come along for the ride.
Founded in 1895, the Children of the American is considered the oldest patriotic organization for training youth. You can find more information at https://www.tndar.org/tscar/ to learn more or join.
