What would you be up to if you're 91?
Me? I'd incessantly be crying out to God, "Take me home, pretty please!"
91? That may not even be an issue with Commander Vern Jumper. He's fit as a fiddle! And he seems to enjoy his role now as a volunteer at the Midway aircraft carrier-turned museum—precious reminder that America, no matter how severely criticized for it's entanglement in Vietnam, cares about nations' right to exist.
Cdr Jumper is flesh and blood hero. And charming and sharp at 91! Move over Superman; you're a mere fantasy.
In our recent visit to the Midway, hubby Jack and I learned how he and his colleagues evacuated thousands of Vietnamese and Americans from Saigon as the country started to fall apart. Here's one of his amazing stories:
He was then the carrier's air traffic controller. An errant South Vietnamese plane attempted to land on the carrier. First and second attempts to land proved unsuccessful. There were just too many planes on the flight deck !
Could have been a total disaster if the pilot hit the runway right off. Solution?
Those planes were ordered off the deck. Pronto! Safe landing! Whew!
That oncoming plane was piloted by a South Vietnamese carrying his entire family to safety. His first attempts to land could have razed the carrier itself.
Cdr Jumper was certain God heard his cry.
As the country observes memorial day, let's remember Cdr Jumper—as well as all the other veterans and active members of the military—in our prayers.
2 Corinthians 1:10 "He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."
Photo notes: Jack with Cdr Jumper. Jack imagining Cdr Jumper's exploits with as he surveys our Vietnam hero's plane.
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