Dallas Airport Comes to Silent Standstill as Remains of Vietnam War Veteran Come Home 52 Years Later
“was shot down while attacking a target on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos”
Roy Knight Jr. of Texas left the United States to serve in the Vietnam War as a pilot in 1967.
His remains finally came back to Texas yesterday on a plane flown by his son. The arrival brought the entire airport to a halt.
KIII TV News reports:
Veteran’s journey: 52 years later, Southwest Airlines pilot brings home father’s remains
It was an emotional morning at Dallas Love Field when a Vietnam War veteran’s remains were returned to Texas.
In May 1967, Col. Roy Knight Jr., from Garner, Texas, served in the U.S. Air Force and was killed during the Vietnam War.
The pilot was shot down while attacking a target on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, according to his obituary.
For years, the Knight family wondered if he was still alive. But in 1974, Knight went from “Missing in Action” to “Killed in Action,” his obituary says.
Earlier this year, Knight’s remains were identified in Laos. And on Thursday, the veteran’s journey came full circle.
Knight’s son, who is a captain for Southwest Airlines, flew the airliner containing his father home to Texas.
Bryan Knight was only 5 years old when he waved goodbye to his father 52 years ago from Dallas Love Field when the elder Knight left for the Vietnam War. It was the last time Bryan Knight saw his father alive.
A journalist named Jackson Proskow was at the airport when this happened, and wrote an excellent Twitter thread describing the scene:
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
Our incoming plane is carrying the remains of an American pilot shot down over Vietnam in 1967. His remains were only recently recovered and identified and brought back to the US.
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
As we wait at the gate, we’re told that Captain Knight is coming home to Dallas. When he left from this very airport to fight in Vietnam his 5 year old son came to the airfield and waved goodbye. It was the last time he would see his father alive.
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
Today the pilot of the plane bringing Capt. Knight back to Dallas is his son.
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
The entire terminal has come to watch this arrival. pic.twitter.com/HW3yAHEXBf
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
Incredible moment to watch. The entire airport fell silent. pic.twitter.com/TGp1X736R7
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
What a privilege it was to witness this moment.
For those asking, they announced it over the intercom. The gate agent was very emotional as he told the story over the PA. They handed out American flags to everyone at the gate.
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
For those who want to know more, I’ve found an obituary for Col. Roy Knight Jr. https://t.co/Xuake1JtUP
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
I’ve written a little more about this remarkable, beautiful day. https://t.co/JqIM2DSUPK
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
Thanks to my colleagues for turning this around while I flew home today. We’ll have much more on @globalnational tonight. https://t.co/0Crj1gUbrl
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
Our full report on this incredible, emotional homecoming, 52 years in the making. https://t.co/EWu33k5IbO
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) August 8, 2019
Here’s a short video report from ABC News:
Welcome home, Colonel. Rest in peace, sir.
Featured image via YouTube.
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Comments
America and Americzns still makes me proud.
Americans
Thank you for posting this.
I have no words. Just wondering how it suddenly got so damn dusty in my office.
Welcome home Colonel.
It has taken 52 years but a promice has been kept. ” Leave no soldier behind.” God speed Colonel welcome home.
May he find comfort in the arms of Angels…
Contrast this with everything else going on and wrong with America today and there’s a glimmer of hope . . .
A family website in honor of this hero is maintained here.
Well, that made me cry. Many thanks for posting this story.
The Colonel finally coming home was enough to make my throat tighten and my eyes get a tad watery. When I read that his son was the pilot of the plane that flew him home it was full on tears down the cheeks.
I’m proud to be an American – I always have been and always will be. But some days just shine brighter than others.
Thank you so much for posting this. I don’t watch television “news” so I would have missed it. And I am so glad I didn’t.
Welcome home Colonel. Rest in peace.
Thank you for defending freedom and liberty.
no words to say. welcome back sir.
blue skies, warrior–thank you for your service
Everybody comes home. One way or another, everybody comes home.