Southwest pilot brings father's remains home from Vietnam 52 years later 

A young son waved his father off to war, and 52yrs later that son flew him back home. Respect.

What a honor for his own son flying his father's remains back for proper burial.Brought tears to my eyes a veteran myself what a honor for his son.

I cried like a baby watching this. When my son graduated high school he joined the Marines. I tried to talk him out of it because I grew up during Viet Nam and I did not want to be one of those moms who has someone knock on their door telling them their son was dead. He told me he would do whatever it takes, including giving his life, so people could live free. I never mentioned my fears to him again. Fourteen months later there was a knock on our door by a member of the Marine Corps letting us know our son was killed. In our last conversation I told him I would pick him up from the airport when he came home for some leave time. Never did I imagine it would be out of the belly of a plane. My heart goes out to this family and I am happy the Captain was able to bring his father home. We are grateful for his service.

As a 62 year old man who lost his dad in Vietnam at age 6, this hit me pretty hard, and I grieve with the Captain.

I am Hmong and my father and our people were part of the secret war that worked alongside the CIA to go after the American pilots shot down in the jungles of Laos. We are in the USA due to my father's courage. Today, Captain, I'm crying for you and my dad. I'm so deeply pleased that you are able to bring your dad home, finally.

I am a Vietnam era veteran. I am 67 now . To me this was a very touching documentary. All I can say is Welcome Home!

Grown men can cry, right? God Bless Colonel Knight, Captain Knight, and the entire Knight family. 😢

Oh holy shit; I couldn’t hold back a sob and now everyone is looking at me on the subway

Good grief I bet there wasn't a dry eye on that plane. I'm tearing up sitting in my dining room. What a privilege to have been on that flight.

WOW 52 yrs later. I salute you sir. Thank you for your sacrifice.

My eyes tears, my arms have goosebumps and my heart smiled just now. He, his Father is home now. To his Family I say "Thank you for his service and dedication to our country." May peace be with all of you.

So touching.. A son bringing his father home. Finally.

Being a combat veteran, the tears in my eyes flow of pride and joy. Welcome home, Sir!

😭😭🙏❤️ The stories of war never end. My father served in WW2 and my son-in-law died in Iraq. When you see a veteran please don’t be shy...Thank them!

The most touching story I've heard in a long time, brought tears to my eyes. The colonel's son Brian Knight grew up to walk in his father's footsteps and become an USAF pilot himself to pick up the pieces 50 years later and fly Dad home. Godspeed to the Knight family, may you be in a little more peace now that this chapter has closed.

Welcome home colonel.

My God what a beautiful tribute to a fallen Airmen by his son and many involved. My condolences and RIP Sir. Glad you finally made it home. Godspeed

Bless this fallen soldier and his son for flying his dad home . 🇺🇸

How wonderful for his son to be able to bring him home. Bless them all.

Thank you for posting this touching video. What a wonderful thing for SW Airline, the Military and everyone involved to do.. allowing the son of a highly decorated, fallen American soldier to be brought home this way. Only wish I could've watched without my wife chopping those onions behind me. God bless this family 🙏🙏

I am glad he is finally home!!!

So touching. It’s sad that people give this video a thumbs down, they must be dead inside. God bless all who defend our country.

We need more stories like this. Stories like this remind us that the day to day things we take so seriously and get so upset about matter very little. Moments like these are what really matters in life. Rest in peace.

What a story. Thank you for bringing our hero home. RIP Brave hero!

Home at last. Beautiful and sad at the same time. May he RIP.

I'd like to think he became a Pilot so he could be the one to bring his dad home. How beautiful. And welcome home, Colonel. 🇺🇸❤

Too emotional. Welcome home.

So touching. As a veteran myself, I watch this video and just want to cry

This is the best of humanity. This is what the world should be like. Doing what you know is right. Total Respect !

Thank you Mike, for your Father, His sacrifice, and your love.

Welcome home sir. RIP.

Welcome home sir🗽

I cannot emagine the honour of bringing his dad home

Very heartwarming and WELCOME HOME!! I am very lucky my father passed away in June did 2 tours in Nam came back. Thank you again!

Thank you for your service soldier.

My brother-in-law is a Sr Director @ SWA - I am quite proud of what he does for this great company. I am more proud of our military service men & women.

I love stories like this that touch the soul.

Bless all my fallen brothers......... 11th ACR. Class of 67

What an inspiring story. Kudos to Southwest for arranging this.

I sincerely thank you Col Roy Knight, your family,, can't stop 😢😢😢😢😢. You, your family are in my today Mass,

Welcome home Sir! My flew helicopters in Vietnam & this bright tears to my eyes.

Welcome home sir.. thank you for you ultimate sacrifice. Although it is sad, i would imagine the family was feeling honor for their fallen hero, and finally had peace and closure. What an amazing story!

Dear Internet. Stop making me cry. That was a beautiful and heartfelt honer. 68-year-old american veteran here. One of the lucky ones who didnt get sent over there.

And that’s where America gets its greatness from.

That must have been a beautiful peaceful flight .

Such a touching moment captured on Video. 😢(tears of happiness of a fallen hero). God bless him and his family and RIP to his father. So glad they have closure and found his remains 🇺🇸

Brought me to tears! Welcome home soldier all our gratitude and love for you. Your ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered.

That's awesome! That's an honor in it's self knowing your bringing a hero home and it's an honor knowing it's your dad your biggest hero of all! I'm greatful for his service and im greatful for the captain for bringing our brother home my compliments sir and thank you for sharing this video

RIP airman! Emotional story.

Sweet moment. Good job, Captain.

Oh, my gosh. What an amazing story. I am so choked up right now. The odds of this happening are astounding.

Tearing up again, hearing this. Finally getting closure. After 52 years.

He looks the spitting image of his dad. All those potential moments he could of had with his dad lost forever, because of wars..

Southwest is a great airline lots of military pilots and great people/employees. I always fill safe on their planes and will continue hold my preferred card and fly with them. Thanks Southwest!

Oh Wow! What a story. I am so glad he was able to return home after so many years being apart from those who love him. A sad day and a joyous day. Thank you for your service.

I have no words, except, God bless all of you.

Much respect. Thank you for your sacrifice, Sir.

*Thank you for such a touching story.*

I’m not crying my eyes are sweating.

I’ve watched this video a several times. I’m a 70 year old son of a WWII veteran who got home safely. My wife’s uncle was one of the U.S. Marines 2nd Marine Raiders , the famous Carlson’s Raiders, who was killed on the raid on Makin Atol on August 17, 1942 who remains were finally recovered and identified in 1999. He was a 28 year old high school English teacher and coach in a little town in South Dakota when he joined the marines and 29 years old when he was killed. He had never married. Only one sister and some nieces and nephews were the only family members able to finally were able to lay him to rest. Every time I watch this video a wave of emotion washes over me and I can’t stop the tears as I wonder what it would have been like growing up without my father. God bless all our service members who sacrificed their lives for us.

My sincere respects and regrets to the Knight family. I am happy that some closure has come to you, even after all this time. Let me offer a small prayer that was taught to me by my Episcopal rector, "May the pain of your grief be mercifully short and the joy of your memories blessedly long..." Second comment: All kinds of props to the DoD's Joint POW/MIA Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab. Their motto, "Until They Come Home". Their watchword, "No More Unknowns". The deceased father of a friend of my family was returned from Korea about 5 years ago through the good offices of these folks.

God Bless him.

Wow!!!! Heartbreaking!!! So glad they were able to have closure on this.

Man! That really touched my heart in a wonderful way. Imagine how his son felt to be the pilot who brought his dad home after all those years. I was there and the Lord allowed me to come home. My heart goes out to all who didn't. Godbless all who serve and have served. If you don't know. Love Field is in Dallas.

Thank you for your Dad’s service. My Dad is a Vietnam Vet who made it back, but has never been the same since that war. May your father rest in peace

Rest in peace sir..

Extraordinary story. I wish the captain (the hero’s son) had said a few words. FWIW, I registered for the Vietnam draft in 1972 (I still have my card), but thank God the war was coming to an end, and I never had to go.

Welcome home and thank you for your service. I live in the UK and I live a free life because of all service men and women. I’m 66.

Amen prayers with the family

So touching, the soldiers gave everything they got! This choked me up…

What an honor that must have been for him to bring his dad home.

I couldn't help but well up some tears watching this. The Captain's father would be proud of him

As a military veteran this definitely touches my heart. 🙏🏿😔

Amazing

Wow... unbelievable crying right now.

Welcome Home SR

God Bless 🙏 Rest In Peace!! 🙏 🙏 Thank You for your Service to our Country !!

Welcome home Hero!

Omw... Am in tears... May your father rest in peace Capt. Knight. So happy though that you were able to finally bring him home. 🌹

That one pulled on the heartstrings. Live and respect to those who fought for their countries and the loved ones they leave behind.

Wow. True hero. Oh man, my eyes are watery. Thank you. Oh man I cant even type. 😞

What an honor it must have been to be on this flight. My heart is with this family. ❤️

And he brought his dad home 🙏🏻

Absolutely amazing!

honor to the man who gave his life in order to preserve freedom!!!

Wow. It's been a year since this was posted. I would still like to say welcome home and thank you for your service.

Very touching!👆

A family of great American's. Thank you for your sacrifice for your country 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

This story brought me so many tears.

Thank you for serving and so sorry it took this long to get you home!

Our Vietnam veterans deserve every encomium and measure of respect we can give them.

Welcome home brave airman!

Tears!!! What a beautiful story! Thank you for your service to our country❤️🤍💙

Wow. Amazing. May he rest in peace.

Sweet Jesus...this is an absolutely touching clip and even more touching story within. Thank you thank you for this special post

Find the pictures of the terminal and their arrival.....

Bryan how truly heart rendering that you were the pilot that bought your Father home to home soil is beyond fabulous. The universe was showing off when your Family was made. Kind deeds change lives. Blessings to your Family. Thank you for your service Sir. Australia.

Wow! That really got to me!

My Dad was in Vietnam veteran 68 and 69 and I love him so much for coming home to me and my brother and all veterans

Thank you for your service and May You Rest In Peace