Deel gets hero’s welcome from nephew Smith and family

HonorAir Knoxville Flight 27 took off from McGhee Tyson Airport yesterday morning en route to Washington, D.C., with a Jacksboro man onboard.

Deel, right – with manilla folder, and others are welcomed back home

Dwight Deel was among the 132 veterans that flew to Washington, D.C. as part of the HonorAir Program.  Deel served 3 deployments in Vietnam and earned the rank of Master Sergeant.  HonorAir Knoxville has conducted a total of 27 flights and flown more than 3,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor.

TOP PHOTO:  Noah Smith (R) welcomed home his great-uncle Dwight Deel on Wednesday, along with hundreds of others, at McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa.

Deel’s family was there to welcome he and the other vets back home.  Deel is on the front row (L).

Waving the American flag, Smith tells WLAF, “There is nothing like it.  Giving these veterans a hero’s welcome back is not only what they deserve, but it’s what is right. The feeling in the room was so humbling and welcoming.”

Deel was quite taken by the reception.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/04/2018-6AM)