WVLT – our people were honored Saturday night including Top Gun actor Glen Powell and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for their work revolved around veterans.

Glen Powell played ‘Hangman’ in the new Top Gun: Maverick movie and was awarded the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment.

“This is by far the coolest moment in my career as far as honors go,” Powell said.

Powell said he spent most of the year on military bases as he trained for his roles in Top Gun and a new movie coming out in November called DEVOTION. He said it was great to see so many Medal of Honor recipients in once place at the Knoxville Convention Center.

“Hard to describe how I can now find myself in a room with what I believe are the best of our country,” Powell said.

In his role in DEVOTION, Powell will play Medal of Honor recipient Tom Hudner. Hudner was a U.S Navy aviator during the Korean War, becoming one of the most celebrated wingmen.

“They do an extraordinary thing and they don’t feel like anyone else would’ve done it differently but I think it’s when incredible people with strong moral fabric and courage rise to the occasion,” Powell said.

Also honored was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. She was given the Patriot Award, the highest award given by the Medal of Honor Society.

”It feels strange to be here because it’s truly a room full of heroes like you can’t put into words why I’m going to be why I’m going to be on that stage outside of just thanking them,” Haley said.

Two others honored Saturday night are Dr. Tim Miller and Courtney Kube. Dr. Miller received the Distinguished Citizen Award and served as a plastic surgeon to help soldiers injured while in the line of duty. He also served in Vietnam from 1965-1966.

Courtney Rube received the Tex McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism. She is an NBC correspondent covering the Pentagon and Department of Defense.

KNOX NEWS – He’s starred as Marine Corps aviator (and famed astronaut) John Glenn in “Hidden Figures.” He’s played Army Sgt. Chutsky in the Iraq War drama “Sand Castle.” And he’s back in the cockpit this fall as Lt. j.g. Tom Hudner, a real-life Medal of Honor recipient who was given the award of valor for his actions as a U.S. Navy pilot in the Korean War.

Despite his many turns as an American warrior – and extensive preparation for the parts – actor Glen Powell offers he’s a bit nervous to be in the company of 34 Medal of Honor recipients when he comes to Knoxville this weekend to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Bob Hope Award.

“I’m looking forward to listening. Listening and taking it all in,” Powell said. “That’s for me what the room is about.

“I wouldn’t know what else to do. I mean, I don’t often get star-struck but I feel like in this room I’ll probably be very quiet and humbled by it all, and just taking it all in.”

Powell spoke to Knox News editor Joel Christopher on Thursday from the Toronto International Film Festival, where “Devotion” premieres Monday. “Devotion” will be released widely on Nov. 23.