Lonely Pilot Bob

This is a recent exchange I had with a guy who posted a comment on my post here, on Colonel Hadley Thompson (https://www.lonelypilotbob.com/?p=1448).

“I would like to contact the gentleman who wrote this about Col. Had Thompson. If you would please email me.”

“Good Morning…

The ‘author’ would be me;

R.F. Holliker, Jr.”

“Good morning Bob,
 
This might seem odd to you but I was wondering if you might be located in the San Antonio area.  I am stationed at Fort Sam Houston and I have something of COL Thompson’s that I want to give to you.  If you are local, I could bring it to you, but if not, give me your address and I’ll send it.  You would be one of the few people who would appreciate this and it would probably take you for a nice trip down memory lane.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.”

Interesting…

…and thank you Michael, for thinking of me.  It is humbling…

I live in Ohio, and as it turns out, I am heading to San Antonio tomorrow.  There is an annual POW Dining In I attend every couple years at Randolph.   Our squadron, the 560th FTS, had the Honor of requalifying those who wanted to return to flying when they were released.  This will be the 40th reunion!

My cell number is 419-283-71XX.  I will have a bit of time on Friday, the 12th, then on Saturday until I head up to New Braunfels around noon – where I will be staying until Tuesday.

Thank you again…

Bob

I had no idea what he had for me and my mind wondered!  Sure I was curious, but I felt it impolite to ask.  So, like a kid, I allowed my excitement to build…

I met Michael in a parking lot in Universal City that Friday afternoon, just before our dining in.  He and his lovely wife drove into the parking lot, and after introductions, he handed a box to me – kinda like a ‘shirt box.’  I had no idea what was in it, but as soon as I saw a bit of it, I knew.  Immediately.  It was one of Colonel Thompson’s old flight suits!  A”K2B” like we used to wear before our fire-retardant Nomex flight suits.  And it was configured with the patches we wore when I went through UPT.

A 40+ year old flight suit.  What’s it mean to anyone?  Who knows – but to me, a great deal.  It represents a part of my past; something of a man I admired, and tried to model myself after.  Like I said, I only had a brief encounter with Colonel Thompson, but he did “touch me” – in a very positive way…

I stood there in that parking lot last week – kinda speechless.  Then I began “babbling” for I could feel the lump in my throat and the tears beginning to form.  “Thank you” felt hardly enough for Michael’s act of unselfishness… but, I am grateful.

Later that evening at a friend’s house, I brought in that box, told the story, and showed a few guys of my ‘vintage,’ the treasure inside.  Each one of them just knew what it meant to me, and soon the stories of wearing old ‘K2Bs’ began flowing!

When I got home I dug out an old’ K2B’ of mine.  The outline of my patches are still there, and still I have a few of them – my class patch, name tag and squadron patch.  When I find suitable rank and an American flag patch I’ll have it fixed up and then I will find a way to appropriately display the two together.

It’s rare these days to find men like Michael – and it is also so refreshing!

On 11 April 2013 the 560th Flying Training Squadron hosted the 40th Annual Freedom Flyers (POW) Dining In.  This is a tradition, began in 1973, to honor our North Vietnam POWs.  I don’t get there every year these days; but I made this one – and I am glad I did.

First of all, it was good to see the POWs in attendance.  There are not quite as many as in previous years, but the ones who do attend are just fun to be around.  And inspirational.

The speaker this year did pretty well.  He was actually the son of one of ‘our’ POWs and had a great message – one I will ‘ponder’ now for a few weeks.

My biggest thrill however was seeing the guys I flew with in the early 80s.  A couple of them I had not seen since 1984 – ’85 or so, and it was good to see them.  This is us:

John H., Dobie, Bob W., Me, Steve H., Hollywood and Joe

At one time or another, I flew with each one of these guys, except maybe Bob W.  I don’t know if they know what ‘treasures’ they are to me… I really enjoyed seeing each and every one of them, albeit all to briefly.

Then I ran into Byron Allen.

Me, and Byron

I first met Byron in the late 70’s – or more accurately, I first became aware of him in the late 70’s.  He was on ATC Stan/Eval and I observed him while our unit was being inspected.  I saw in him, an very capable individual; knowledgeable, fair and a man of great integrity and common sense.  It wasn’t until the mid 80’s that our paths crossed again, and in getting to know him better, my initial observations proved to be “spot on!”  It was also during that time that I was able to fly with him, and what a privilege that was.    Although by that time I was a “seasoned” IP in the T-38, I learned so much from him!

And so, it was well worth my trip to San Antonio this year… I will relish the memories now for some time.