Remains of Vietnam pilot come home
11 Sunday Aug 2019
Written by dennisghurst in Attributes, Consequences, Origins
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….. Complete with water cannon salute
More than five decades after his death in Vietnam, the remains of an American fighter pilot have finally returned home to Dallas, Texas. The youngest son of Col. Roy Abner Knight Jr., spoke earlier this past week about his father who was killed in the Vietnam War.
The remains of Col. Knight were finally identified last month and, as a pilot with Southwest Airlines, Bryan Knight had the coveted privilege of returning his father’s remains to home turf, the very same Love Field airport where he last saw his father 52 years ago.
Knight’s family has waited since 1967 to say goodbye, and the fallen hero’s arrival at Dallas Love Field Airport brought everyone to a standstill with his son piloting the plane that brought him home.
Bryan Knight talked about his father as an Air Force pilot and what happened the day he went missing in action in Vietnam, together with the relief when the call came letting the family know the remains of his father had been found.
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Following content assembled from comments thread…
I sat at my desk just now and read this article, tears streaming down my face. I am a military veteran and every time a soldier/sailor/airman/marine returns home, no matter what war/conflict/mission, it is always very emotional. All gave some, some gave all. Thank you Col Knight. Welcome home.
Your journey is now complete. You can now rest peacefully knowing that you are home. RIP sir and thank you for your service and sacrifice. May your family now find the peace that they have sought for so many years. Thank you Southwest Airlines for helping bring this soldier home to rest and letting his son fly him home. Thank you to the people at Love Field in Dallas for taking a few moments to show compassion and respect to a fallen soldier returning home from Vietnam for the final time. ~ U.S. Army Veteran.
First up…
Go ahead, someone please ask me why I honor the flag, and stand for the national anthem ….
I had the honor to serve in the USAF with Capt Bryan Knight. This nation owes more to the Knight Family than most can fathom. Growing up knowing of his father’s sacrifice and to be willing to make the same sacrifice if needed is bravery beyond words. God Bless the Knight family and all that serve. ~ Col USAF (ret)
Another American hero comes home. No expense and no effort should be spared to bring our fallen home. It is only fitting that they be laid to rest in the soil of the nation they gave their lives to serve.
All those young men who lost buddies on the combat field are finally being reunited due to age and illnesses. I can’t imagine the glorious scene of God gathering all these troopers once again, bodies and minds healed and the joy they feel in their hearts and smiles on their faces seeing each other again. Through tragedy comes forth good when God is in control.
And the final farewell…
Thumbs up to you and your father Capt. Knight, and for the privilege of hearing your story. We are a grateful nation that your father served his country so well. We will not, nor ever, forget.
Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army, wrote the poem:
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Welcome home Sir. Your family and the rest of America have been awaiting your return. May you rest forever comfortably in the welcoming arms of an ever-loving God!
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H/T Gerard Vanderleun and: Father, Son, and the long Slow Fade of Vietnam
Soli Deo Gloria!
2 Comments
Paula Evans said:
08/11/2019 at 11:37 AM
God bless this soldier n his son who was privileged enough to be able to pick up his father’s remains and return them where they belong…. to his family in the USA. GOD bless all of them .
Caroline Chase said:
08/13/2019 at 1:39 AM
A beautiful and much needed tribute, we need to witness events such as this in order to bring us back into our humanity. Thank you Family Knight , so sorry and sad for your loss, so glad the Capt. can lay his head to rest in the place that wanted him home