Freedom is not free

The City of Russellville honored those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom Monday in a downtown Memorial Day ceremony across from The Depot.

Chaplain Jeff Cheatham with the River Valley Chapter of Military Officers Association of America asked the crowd to observe a time of reflection this Memorial Day and to remember and pray for those who have fallen, and those who are still serving.

Mayor Bill Eaton recognized and honored all veterans in attendance before introducing guest speaker, Gordon Thornsberry, a veteran and member of Pope County Quorum Court.

Thornsberry recalled his experience on board the notorious flight No. 923 on the Flying Tiger, a Super-Constellation plane, which experienced engine trouble and was forced to ditch in the water.

He said the flight left an Air Force base in New Jersey and experienced a breaking storm in the North Atlantic.

The plane climbed steeply up to avoid the storm and in the process one of the engines on the right side caught on fire and a soldier, in his haste, drowned the left engine with a fire extinguisher and the plane was left with two operating engines.

The plane dropped down into the storm and the pilot had the passengers prepare to ditch by emptying pockets and removing shoes and even the females were asked to remove their hosiery.

Thornsberry was sitting close to the front of the plane, but was asked to move toward the back because at 186 pounds he was considered one of the heavier soldiers.

He sat between a young man from Newport, AR and a stewardess, and prepared as best he could for the crash landing into the sea.

Of the passengers in the planes last six rows, Thornsberry said he was the only survivor.

Here is the original post:
Freedom is not free