Photo: Southwest Airlines/Faceook
Fifty-two years after his father was declared dead during the Vietnam War, a son is finally getting a chance to pay his last respects.
Knight, who currently works as a pilot for Southwest Airlines, was 5 when his fatherleft to serve in Vietnam, and months after his departure, his father went missing in action when his jet was shot down and burst into flames on May 19, 1967, according toCNNand theNew York Times.
Air Force Col. Roy A. Knight Jr.Southwest Airlines/Faceook
In June, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that the remains of Bryan’s fatherhad been identified.
According to the agency, the site of the crash was investigated five times over the years, and this January and February, a team uncovered possible human remains, which were eventually identified to be the late pilot’s.
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Bryan flew his father’s remains back to Dallas Love Field Airport on Thursday, and upon landing, his father received a tremendous greeting, CNN reported.
Canadian journalist Jackson Proskow, who happened to be waiting at the gate where Knight’s plane was arriving, documented the “incredible moment” in a series of moving posts on Twitter.
Southwest Airlines/Faceook
“They announced it over the intercom. The gate agent was very emotional as he told the story over the PA,” Proskow wrote, adding thatAmerican flags were handed outto everyone at the gate.
“Our Southwest Airlines family is honored to support his long-hoped homecoming and join in tribute to Col. Knight as well as every other military hero who has paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces,” Southwest Airlines said in a statement to CNN.
Afuneral servicewill be held for Col. Knight in Weatherford, Texas, on Saturday, his obituary states.
source: people.com
