The proud children of a U.S. Air Force pilot have had the honor of welcoming him home, in traditional style, from his final flight after a 20-year career.
“It is tradition to have close friends, family, and also co-workers present on the flight deck upon arrival,” Kimberly told The Epoch Times. “It is also a tradition for the children, or close family, to be able to spray him down with the water hose as he departs the plane.
“I just happened to do a quick video, and had no idea the impact it would have on so many people.”
Kimberly said that, with the assistance of John’s co-workers, they were “fortunate enough” to have their daughter marshal him in.
The family “found it fitting” to have brothers Seth, 14, and Sullivan, 13, hose their father down, which they did with gusto and broad grins on their faces. Kimberly said John was “quite surprised” to see his 8-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, brandishing bright orange marshaling wands as he landed.
“The experience was so surreal, and also bittersweet,” she said. “We knew that our Air Force time was coming to an end, but we were also looking forward to what our new adventures would be.”
Kimberly, a registered nurse, said John formally retired from his career as a C-17 pilot in March 2021, after his final official flight for the Air Force a month earlier. His last deployment was to the Middle East in 2020, and the longest he was ever away from home was seven months.
Yet, his family was well taken care of.
“When John was deployed, we were fortunate enough to be surrounded by many wonderful friends, and also some family. Our ‘Air Force Family’ was also just a call away,” said Kimberly.
She reflected, “John always put his country and family first. It was always a challenge when he had to leave, but he knew that we were in good hands at home.”
For John, being the patriot he is, he enjoyed a few months off after his retirement from the Air Force and has since taken to the skies once more, flying planes for FedEx.
