Request from a special NMUSAF visitor
Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 10:54 am
Last Friday, while volunteering in the Vietnam/Southeast Asia gallery, a visitor asked me to take his picture using his camera. I agreed and he proceeded to take me to the "Return with Honor" display. He told of being the wing man for one of the POW's in the photo on the day he was shot down. He wanted to be sure that I got the both of them in the photo.
Following my questions, I learned that he also flew RF101C's and he too was later shot down and spent 7 years as a POW, from April of '66 to Feb of '73. We had quite a lenghty discussion and when parting I felt a deep sense of honor to have had the privilege of spending some time with this American "hero".
Another visitor overhearing the comversation, took some pictures and promised to email me one when he returned home to NC
By the way the POW's name is Col. Al Brunstrom.
Following my questions, I learned that he also flew RF101C's and he too was later shot down and spent 7 years as a POW, from April of '66 to Feb of '73. We had quite a lenghty discussion and when parting I felt a deep sense of honor to have had the privilege of spending some time with this American "hero".
Another visitor overhearing the comversation, took some pictures and promised to email me one when he returned home to NC
By the way the POW's name is Col. Al Brunstrom.