Post by Don Gieseke on May 27, 2016 8:35:24 GMT -6
This picture is of the cargo compartment of a C-141, the aircraft that I flew for four years during the Viet Nam war. We flew all kinds of cargo to SEA (southeast asia) during those years. Everything from helicopters to toilet paper. Our return flights were mixed missions. Sometimes they were air evac flights, where the aircraft was configured to bring home the wounded. The most joyous of those missions was bringing home the POWs from Hanoi.
Other times what was pictured above was the mission. It was always a somber and solemn flight home. The lavatory was at the forward end of the cargo compartment. In the middle of the night over the Pacific on one of these missions I made my way to the lav. The only light in the cargo compartment was a low, red glow. I remember to this day the strong feeling I had standing there next to these fallen heroes. Memorial Day is such a special time. Remembering all of them!
Don