The thank you notes written to military veterans of HonorAir Knoxville Flight 25 from fifth grade students at Sterchi Elementary meant so much, veterans touched by the warm gesture wanted to make sure to meet those students in person.
"It's really heart warming that someone at such a young age would be willing to take the time and the effort to write," said one-time Marine Medic Louis Milliken who received a handwritten message during "mail call" on the flight home in early October.
Milliken was one of more than 100 veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam who made the all expenses paid roundtrip journey to Washington D.C. a few weeks ago.
Late last week during a patriotic assembly in honor of Veterans Day, our cameras were rolling to capture the first time meeting between the fifth graders at Sterchi who wrote those heartwarming tributes to veterans aboard the latest HonorAir Knoxville flight.
The veterans and students said it was a special experience to share.