“I’m at the airport in Dallas, waiting for my flight home to DC from El Paso, and something incredible is happening.
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.
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.
Today the pilot of the plane bringing Capt. Knight back to Dallas is his son.
The entire terminal has come to watch this arrival. Incredible moment to watch.
The entire airport fell silent.
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