Air Force Veteran Richard Kern's Remarkable Story of Survival and Resilience

Air Force Pilot's War Experience

• 🎖️ Richard Kern, an Air Force pilot, served from World War II through the Vietnam War, enduring nearly eight years as a prisoner of war.
• ✈️ During a Vietnam mission, his fighter jet was struck by a missile, and he ejected, landing with fractured ankles, leading to his capture.
• ⛓️ While imprisoned, Kern endured torture, including being tied and strung up, which caused severe damage to his shoulders.

Family Legacy and Connection

• 👨‍👦 Steve Kern, Richard's son, found solace in professional wrestling during his father's long captivity.
• 🤝 Steve vividly recalls carrying his father, who was unable to walk, from the plane upon his return.
• 👨‍⚕️ Colonel Richard Kern's struggles inspired his grandson, Cory Kerna, to become a physical therapist at the VA hospital.

Resilience and Inspiration

• 👴 Nicknamed "POP" for being the oldest POW in Vietnam at around 40, Richard Kern had also been shot down previously as a 19-year-old co-pilot on a B-24.
• 💡 Kern invented communication codes for POWs, including methods for passing vital information through letters sent home.
• 💪 His story is presented as an inspiration, showcasing the incredible human spirit and the power of perseverance.
• 🌊 The spirit of Colonel Kern is described as flowing into the pool where injured veterans, like Marine Randy, learn to walk again through physical therapy.