A circle of life’s journey was completed at Dallas Love Field Airport yesterday.
Fifty-two years ago, 5 year-old Bryan Knight waved goodbye to his father, US Air Force Maj. Roy A. Knight, Jr., as he departed Dallas Love Field for service in Vietnam.
Bryan never saw his father again.
Maj. Knight was leading a flight of two aircraft on a strike mission attacking a military target on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos when his plane was shot down on May 19, 1967. According to the Defense POW/MIA Account Agency: “No parachute was observed prior to the aircraft crashing and bursting into flames.”
Knight was listed as MIA and subsequently declared deceased in September 1974, when Bryan was just 12.
In 1991 a joint U.S.-Laos team investigated a crash site believed to be where Knight’s plane went down. The team recommended it for excavation, and over the years the site was examined five times.
In early 2019 possible human remains were found, and after extensive evaluation, were identified as now Col. Knight. (He was promoted while listed as MIA.)
Col. Knight is one of the 1,000 Americans killed in the Vietnam conflict whose remains have been identified, according to the Defense Dept. There are still more than 1,500 who remain unaccounted for.
Bryan Knight, the son who waved good-bye to his Dad 52 year ago has become a pilot for Southwest Airlines. And when he learned his Dad’s remains had been found, he described it as “surreal”. “I really didn’t think it would ever happen. Wow, you know, he’s really coming home. We’re going to be able to bring him back, and we’re going to have a place where we can honor him.”
Col. Knight’s remains were flown from Honolulu to California. And Bryan Knight, who waved good-bye to his Dad 52 years ago, was the pilot who flew his father’s remains from California to Dallas Love Field – the site the two last ever saw each other.
When the plane carrying Col. Knight’s remains touched down, it was greeted with firetrucks shooting water cannons as the family waited to receive the flag-draped coffin.
And as a tearful gate agent recounted Col. Knight and his family’s story, the bustling airport came to a quiet standstill.
Passengers flocked to the windows to watch, many wiping away tears and some saluting as the coffin departed the plane to the care of a military honor guard.
It was a well-deserved hero’s welcome that most Vietnam veterans never received. And in a dark week from the horrors of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton (made only darker by the appalling egomaniacal performance by the occupant of our Oval Office) – it was a bright spot of hope.
For that, we thank you Col. Roy and son Bryan Knight.
Col. Knight will be buried Saturday with full military honors. You can read his Obituary here:
OBITUARY:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/col-roy-knight-jr-obituary?pid=193368969
7 Responses to “Friday Feel Good: Welcome Home, Col. Knight!”
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Thank you Nameless. He was a hero. I hated and protested the was, but loved and honored the warriors. Many, who returned protested with me.
Cross posted to Care2 HERE
Thank you, Nameless. When I first read this, I was prepared to be touched by the son who had been five when he said goodbye being there to greet him. I was not prepared for that son to be the pilot who brought him home. I actually exclaimed “Omigod” out loud as that hit me – and then it sank in. Excuse me, someone is slicing onions in here.
Gawd, I’m bawling.
Such an amazing story!!
Kudos to Brian, for having the opportunity of bringing his father home. May his dad Rest in Eternal Peace, a SALUTE to him, and to the many….. who didn’t come home.
The circle of Life is complete now.
Thank you, Nameless for this.
and Joanne for cross-posting.
What a wonderful way to honor a genuine hero!
What a truly amazing story.
To imagine the 5 year old having to say goodbye to his daddy and never seeing him come home.
Then in 2019 receiving information that they found Bryan’s fathers remains. Happy that Bryan was able to be the pilot to bring his honorary father home again. Wow.
May his father Col. Knight R. I. P.
Great post. Thanks Nameless and Joanne
Truly amazing!