Hey, y’all. Yes, I’ve gone from rarely blogging to a regular schedule. I had planned to leave Thursdays open, but yesterday an idea came to mind – Thursday Thoughts. I don’t know if I’ll write these each week, but I do plan to have a Thursday post at least a couple of times per month.
The idea behind the post is random thoughts about something that caught my attention during the week. They may or may not pertain to writing. I hope you will enjoy them.
A coworker once asked me where I got ideas for my novels. My first response was, “A very active imagination.” While that is true, I recalled standing on the deck of a cruise ship with a friend a few years back admiring the beautiful scenery. Except for our ship, there were few signs of civilization, but I knew beyond those mountains were tiny towns and villages.
People lived and worked in those places. I began to wonder what their lives were like in a place with such harsh winters. What did they do for a living? How did they survive (without going crazy) during the winter months where they saw little or no daylight? Story ideas began to pop in my head.
After we returned home, I came across this quote by Orson Scott Card:
“Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.”
Last week I happened upon a story that deeply touched me. It was a story fifty-two years in the making. The story of a father and a son.
In 1967 Major Roy A. Knight, a US Air Force pilot, was shot down while flying a mission over Laos. He was first declared missing in action. Military officials later changed his status to killed in action. He was posthumously promoted to Colonel and received several medals and commendations. Unfortunately for his family, his body was never located or recovered.
Almost fifty-two years passed until February 2019 when discovered remains were positively identified as belonging to Colonel Knight. Last Thursday, August 8, his son Brian, a Captain with Southwest Airlines, flew the plane carrying his father’s coffin into Dallas Love Field airport.
A “water salute” greeted the plane as it taxied toward the terminal. People inside the airport watched with interest as the plane pulled up to the jet bridge. Baggage handlers stood at attention. Passengers inside the plane clapped when they learned what had transpired. Many tears were shed, including my own.
For you see, Brian Knight was only five years old when he last saw his father in 1967. And the place they were last together? Dallas Love Field Airport.
I have always had the utmost respect for the men and women in our military. They put their lives on the line so we might have the freedoms we enjoy (and often take for granted). Colonel Knight’s story reminded me of the sacrifices made by many throughout the years.
Below is a short video of Captain Knight talking about his father and the trip “home.” Warning: you may want to have tissues handy.
24 Responses
Yes, I’m always wondering about things I see. Great story about that family getting closure.
I thought it was really touching, Denise. Thanks for stopping by today.
Thanks for a lovely post, Joan. It’s nice the family finally got closure and brought the Major home. I agree with that quote 100%. The stories are all around us if only we can see them.
Isn’t that true, Harmony? We don’t need to look very far. I’ve always been a people watcher and in recent years have gotten story ideas for observations made in restaurants, on airplanes, etc.
Tears! What an amazing story of the Knight father and son.
Wasn’t it? Believe me, I’ve teared up a few times over this one.
What a beautiful story to share, Joan.
Thanks, Robbie. It’s a story that’s been on my mind since hearing it last week. Sad thing is there are hundreds of families still waiting for that closure.
I watched this story on TV, too, Joan, with tears in my eyes throughout. It was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. I have an undying respect and love for our military, especially for those who put their lives on the line every day. Thank you for reminding me of this man’s sacrifice and the love of a son for the father who finally came home to rest. And thank you for the great Orson Scott Card quote, too. Going to post that on my desk somewhere to remind me to watch for those great stories going on around us every day. Super post!
Amazing that his son has had a good life – to bear that not knowing as you grow up and missing all the Dad things. My son’s in the air force and when I see him with his children I think of all those who loose parents.
It us amazing. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him but he went on to live a good life. And followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Air Force.
Such a bittersweet moment, Marcia. How ironic he last saw his father in the same airport. I’m sure neither of them realized the homecoming would be fifty-two years in the making.
I loved this story. It made national news. If more people could put aside differences and celebrate life the world would be a much better place.
I know this made me shed a tear or two.
That is so true, Michele.
I won’t play the video. I was all over this story when it happened, and I cried with every story I read, every clip I saw on the news. It’s such a powerful tale. (I’m about to cry, so I’m stopping now.)
I, too, have the utmost respect for our military and first responders. We have veterans and active members in both, and they will always have my respect and support.
I love the quote you chose. I look at it often for my Friday posts. It’s perfect, especially for people watchers like us. Great new feature, and wonderful inaugural post.
I hope you do use the quote some day. It’s a good one.
Yeah, I’ve cried more than once over this story. Thankful that one family was able to have closure.
Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it. I wish we had more things like this in the news instead of all the political back-biting from both sides.
Me too, Craig. I refuse to watch the news these days because of all the negativity and bickering.
I saw this on a news broadcast- how amazing for the family!
It really was amazing! Very touching story.
This is a a beautiful and moving story, Joan. I was’t aware of it prior to reading your blog post. That you for sharing. We need more “news” of this type.
It deeply touched me. So much that I wanted to share. I agree, we need to hear more stories like this one.
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