One last flight
Farragut veteran shares HonorAir experience
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Retired Air Force Col. Jim O’Brien (front) was surrounded by family members, from left, Hannah Maher, Lily Jackson, Logan Botsford, and wife, Diane, at McGhee-Tyson Airport after O’Brien returned home. - Photo Submitted
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At Arlington Cemetery, HonorAir founder Eddie Manis, right, and Joe Sutter, another HonorAir leader, laid a wreath in memory of Air Force Col. Charlie Harr, who died in February. Harr was active in HonorAir since its inception until he became sick in February. - Photo Submitted
Retired Air Force Col. Jim O’Brien of Farragut had been on Honor Air Flights before but as an escort for other veterans participating in the experience.
Notwithstanding, on Wednesday, April 8, he joined other veterans to have the experience as his own when he joined 138 veterans on Flight 38 — HonorAir’s last flight from McGhee-Tyson Airport to Washington D.C.
“As you might expect, my thoughts differed at each of the memorials,” O’Brien related. “While I was at the Lincoln Memorial, reading his Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address, I thought about the horrors of that war and the strength and fortitude that President [Abe] Lincoln demonstrated as he led the country through it.
“Without him, I doubt that we’d have the USA that we know today,” the veteran said.
Moving along the memorials, “unfortunately, the Air Force Memorial was closed for maintenance,” he said. “We drove by it, but we didn’t stop. Too bad … that memorial has special meaning for me as I donated to its construction and served 27 years.
“The Korean War Memorial, the Navy Memorial and the Marine Corps Memorial are beautifully done, honoring the men and women who served and continue to serve today,” O’Brien said. “Of special significance to me and all those aboard our flight was the Vietnam War Memorial,” he said. “I have too many friends’ names engraved on that wall; and every time I visit, I get overwhelmed with emotion — as did many of my fellow veterans when we visited this memorial and the nearby Combat Nurse Memorial.”
But, overall, “I would say that I was particularly moved during our visit to the Arlington National Cemetery,” O’Brien said. “The Changing of the Guard ceremony is always meaningful. During our visit, several of us laid a wreath in honor of our friend, Col. Charlie Harr [U.S. Air Force, Retired], who died in February.
“Since I expect to be buried at Arlington after my life is over, I had a moment of introspection while honoring my friend,” he added.
Arriving at McGhee-Tyson Airport, he was welcomed by a huge crowd on both sides of the walkway where the veterans boarded the plane, O’Brien’s wife, Diane observed. Returning home, again they were welcomed.
“The time we spent in Washington, D.C., was meaningful, but for me the most overwhelming part of the trip was the welcome we received at McGhee Tyson Airport upon our return,” O’Brien recalled.
“Thousands of smiling, cheering people, all of whom extended their hand for a shake to thank us for our service and welcome us home,” he said. “This was a welcome that was about 57 years too late for me, and it brought tears to my eyes.
“Then to have my family and friends there to wrap their arms around me was more than special,” O’Brien said. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to HonorAir Knoxville for the opportunity to experience a magnificent day — one that I’ll never forget.”
O’Brien was commissioned in the Air Force in 1967 and spent 27 years in service. His career featured three tours in Europe, two in the Far East, multiple tours in the Pentagon and Strategic Air Command and three tours in Texas.
The last seven years of his military career were in command positions.
