Welcome home Sir.

Southwest Airlines provided a nice video talking with the pilot/son.

Welcome Home Col. Knight. Rest in Peace Sir

Heard about this on the radio this morning.

A Southwest employee wrote in the the morning show & gave some additional background on it.

Southwest doesn't operate any cargo, so they would've needed another carrier to transport from Laos to Hawaii.
Not good enough.
SW opened a cargo hub in Hawaii for 1 day so the son could do the entire flight for his dad.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
It should be noted that Knight was in Vietnam as an A-1E Skyraider pilot, which was one of the highest-risk flying missions in Southeast asia, with a high loss rate. One of their primary missions was close air support of downed airmen, in hostile territory (Laos), often returning heavily shot up.

There is some good discussion of those missions in support of SOG operations and rescuing downed pilots in two books I read recently, including SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam, by John L. Plaster.

That is an amazing thing. Must be a very emotional time for his remaining family and all that served during that time.

Welcome home hero.

Thank you Lord for bringing him home so he could be laid to rest where he belongs. Amen.

Welcome and RIP.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Heard about this on the radio this morning.

A Southwest employee wrote in the the morning show & gave some additional background on it.

Southwest doesn't operate any cargo, so they would've needed another carrier to transport from Laos to Hawaii.
Not good enough.
SW opened a cargo hub in Hawaii for 1 day so the son could do the entire flight for his dad.

Thank you for sharing this.

Wonderful of Southwest to do that.

Damn allergies..

Welcome home and well done Southwest.

+1 One of my 104 pilots was sent to Viet Nam in 67 to fly the A1E (Spad), he is still there

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Damn allergies..

Welcome home and well done Southwest.

Welcome Home. Sir!
We await our other MIA's...

Welcome home, Sir!!

There was an interview this morning on the local Fox affiliate with the son. It has to have been an emotional event to bring the father home after such a long time. I had vision problems . . . .

Welcome home and RIP, Col. Knight!

I noted that the passengers on the flight all remained aboard and seated while the coffin was removed. A nice touch.

flashguy

This got me right in the feels. Wow. Welcome home, Sir.

And props to Southwest. I fly a few times a year and it seems like it’s always on SW. I have never had a bad experience with an employee whether ground person or a cabin crew. They always seem happy. a company that would go the extra mile like this for an employee is nice to see. They will continue to get my business.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

I noted that the passengers on the flight all remained aboard and seated while the coffin was removed. A nice touch.

I'm a huge SW fan and have maintained A-List Preferred status for many years. SW simply does the right thing.

I've been at LAX when a service member's remain have come through, both on my flight or on neighboring flights. Most people remain sitting and are respectful. From the terminal, a lot of people are up against the glass and the terminal is more quite than usual. It's a humbling experience and it's nice to see travelers know what to do, even in this day and age of self-absorption.

I always ask myself why I read things like this...Guess I just like a poignant end to one of our human stories. And the tears seem to help wash my soul.

Welcome back Colonel. Your return home timing is impeccable. And America is a better place because your story is being told and will be remembered.

Col.Roy Knight was part of my family lore while growing up. Two of my father's sisters married two of the other Knight brothers just before WW 2 kicked off.
They were both serving as Cavalry Troopers on the Texas/Mexico border just prior to the onset of the war.
Lt.Jack Knight was KIA while serving in Burma in 1945. He received the Medal of Honor during this action.
His brother Curtis Knight a 1st Sergeant in the same unit was wounded in this action and received a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. He later recovered from his wounds and served in Korea before retiring to be the game warden at Fort Hood.
Roy Knight was their younger brother and joined the Air Force when he turned 17. Family history had him being shot down while flying an A-1 Skyraider during a bombing run.
They had another brother Llyod Knight who served in WW 2 and Korea. He retired as a Full Colonel in the Army.
These brothers were truly American Patriots and true warriors.
Welcome Home Col. Roy Knight. You were always in your family thoughts and prayers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: m58,

Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54W22gT7-R8