Memorial Day: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Back in 2007, I had the privilege to play a very minor role in welcoming home a Vietnam MIA who now is at rest in a small southern Minnesota rural cemetery. My journey started years earlier when during a break from a church seminar, I wandered out and read the inscription on the House of Hope’s Freedom Tree. My church had a “Freedom Tree” in honor of Vietnam MIA, Captain Ben Danielson (promoted to Major upon confirmation of his death). When I arrived home from my church seminar, I developed a passion to learn more about this MIA. Who was he? What had happened during his last mission? Why had my church planted a “Freedom Tree” years earlier. The internet was in its infancy, but I was a techie and knew how to search. It was an amazing journey and story.

My research led to the son of Captain Ben Danielson (shot down and killed over Vietnam). On Memorial Day this year (2020), Captain Danielson’s son, retired USN pilot Commander Brian Danielson, will give a free online talk about his family’s story including Boxer-22 (the largest air rescue operation in US Armed Forces history). Spend some time this Memorial Day and remember why we have this holiday … in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Speaker: Commander Brain Danielson (USN Retired)
Sponsor: Museum of Flight
Time: Memorial Day (Monday) at 8:30 Central Daylight Time
Format: Online / Live
Registration Link (free … no charge)

Description: This Memorial Day join us (The Museum of Flight) for a special presentation, featuring retired Naval Aviator Cmdr. Brian Danielson.

Cmdr. Danielson will tell the story of his father, Air Force Capt. Benjamin Franklin Danielson, who was shot down and lost in action over Southeast Asia in 1969, which initiated the largest rescue operation of the Vietnam War, called “Boxer-22,” a dramatic quest to rescue Capt. Danielson’s crew member, who survived the shoot-down. This program will feature special Museum introductory remarks by Museum of Flight President Matt Hayes

Background information from my old blog … NorthstarNerd.Org
(that’s me … the Northstar Nerd)