Yesterday, I stumbled on a Twitter feed by a flyer that was heading back to DC from El Paso, via Dallas Love Field. This is a major Southwest airport and he had remarked about some commotion that was going on with an incoming flight. The story of what was going on was really quite emotional, to say the least!
Bringing Dad Home: The Southwest Pilot that Transported His Veteran Father’s Body Home – 52 Years Later
52 years ago, Colonel Ray Knight left to fight the war in Vietnam as an Air Force pilot. He left from the terminal at Dallas Love Field and waved goodbye to his then 5 year old son, Bryan Knight. Colonel Knight was shot down and only recently recovered and identified.
In the meantime, his son had grown and become a captain for Southwest Air. On what would surely be the most amazing flight of his life, yesterday (August 8), he was able to return his father back to that same airport that he had last seen him alive at.
Captain Knight, the son of Colonel Knight | Image courtesy of Southwest
Southwest put together a video to share his story and the heartwarming moments of the flight. It is an awesome responsibility to pilot home the remains of someone who gave their life for their country. To have that be your own father is just almost too much for words.
The arrival of Colonel Knight at Dallas Love Field | Courtesy of Southwest
I am very glad the Knight family was finally able to get Colonel Knight back to Dallas and that Southwest worked to allow it to happen that his son had that responsibility. According to reports, it was quite an emotional moment at Dallas Love Field when the plane arrived with a water cannon welcome and salutes as the colonel was moved out from the plane.
Watch the video to see it for yourself.
Captain Knight last saw his father at Dallas Love Field Airport when he was deployed to serve in the Vietnam War. Today, more than 50 years after he went missing in action, Captain Knight flew his father home for the final time.lin pic.twitter.com/RUg0K1c2jN
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) August 9, 2019
This is the Twitter feed where I had first seen the story.
I’m at the airport in Dallas, waiting for my flight home to DC from El Paso, and something incredible is happening.
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
Featured image courtesy of Southwest
