ly

ome

A pilot killed in action in
Vietnam returns
to American soil.

SHELLI DORFMAN
Editorial Assistant

ussi Arden sat motionless, glazed eyes fixed on
the wind-blown edges of the American flag
draped over her husband's casket.
For her and the family surrounding her, it
was a last public tribute to Air Force Captain Allan
Sheldon Cherry. He was laid to rest at Machpelah
Cemetery in Ferndale on Aug. 9, 32 years to the day after
his fighter was shot down over North Vietnam.
In an interview, Arden said she hoped that the ceremo-
ny would bring to the family what time could not — clo-
sure to years of wondering about the final resting place of
their loved one, who even in death had been unable to
return home.
Arden last saw Cherry in 1967, when he left their Texas
home for southea s t Asia. His A-1E Skyraider was shot
down over North Vietnam only five weeks later.
Like a scene from a tragic
1940s movie, her mind still
replays the knock on her door,
Left: Russi Arden and
the telegram in the hand of the
family members Rachel,
Air Force official and the devas-
Lisa and Allan Cherry
caring news that she then had to
receive a military salute
share with the Cherrys' two
from Lt. William
Owens of Wright-
young children.
Patterson Air Force
The memorial service began
Base Honor Guard.
with the roar of four Air Force
jets breaking the mid-morning
silence. As they reached the area
above the grave, one plane pulled away and separated itself
from the others, paying homage to the pilot lost in war.
Events leading to this day began with an April phone
call to Arden from the Air Force. With two sons of
Selective Service age from her second marriage, Arden,
now divorced, thought the call was in reference to them.
Instead, an official stunned her with a request to meet
regarding the remains of Cherry, which, he said, had been
found in an area of North Vietnam only recently opened
to U.S. officials.
After reviewing pages of forensic reports and interviews
with Vietnamese witnesses and consulting with Arden, the
Air Force arranged the service this week.
At the ceremony, Arden was seated near her daughter,
son and grandchildren, Allan, 10, and Rachel, 4.
It was an echo of the first service for Cherry, held in
1968 at Selfridge Air Force Base. Then she had stood by

Shelli Dorfman can be reached at (248) 354-6060,
ext. 246, or by e-mail at: sdorfman@thejewishnews.com .

8/13
1999

6 Detroit Jewish News