HonorAir Knoxville, the beloved local nonprofit that flies military veterans on honor flights to Washington, D.C., has been named the Bristol Motor Speedway Neighborhood Hero for the Knoxville region — and the organization will be recognized in front of thousands of NASCAR fans before an upcoming race at the iconic Tennessee track.

The announcement, reported by both WVLT and WATE 6 On Your Side, shines a well-deserved spotlight on an organization that has long championed the men and women who served our country. Bristol Motor Speedway’s Neighborhood Hero program highlights community organizations making a meaningful difference in their regions, and HonorAir Knoxville’s selection is a testament to the impact the group has had across East Tennessee.

HonorAir Knoxville gives local veterans — many of them elderly and in their final years — the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the memorials built in their honor in the nation’s capital, often at no cost to the veterans themselves. The flights are made possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners who believe that those who sacrificed so much deserve to be celebrated and remembered.

“They are the true heroes,” the organization was quoted as saying — a humble nod to the veterans at the heart of every mission HonorAir Knoxville undertakes.

Being honored on the grand stage of Bristol Motor Speedway, one of the most storied venues in all of motorsports, gives HonorAir Knoxville a moment of well-earned recognition before a massive audience. It also serves as a reminder of just how deeply the spirit of service and gratitude runs through the Knoxville community. For fans attending the race, it will be a chance to stand and cheer for an organization that has quietly done extraordinary work — and for the veterans whose stories inspired it all.

Sources: WVLT, WATE 6 On Your Side