“I kept my hand up the whole time,” said Gibbons following the ceremony before a hushed crowd of about 300.
The four Kearney veterans represented their group of 23 Hero Flight participants, but Gibbons said there was someone else in his thoughts as he negotiated the long set of steps, stood at attention and saluted.
“I really, really wanted to participate. I felt I owed it to my middle son,” Gibbons said.
He was referring to Victor Gibbons, a tall, handsome airman who was a member of the honor guard at nearby Andrews U.S. Air Force Base.
Gibbons’ eyes welled with tears as described his son, who died of a stroke at age 44. During his stint in the Andrews AFB Honor Guard, he had a front-row seat for history.
Victor Gibbons was a pallbearer or part of the honor guard at the funerals of President Lyndon Johnson and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. He also played a ceremonial role at Richard Nixon’s inauguration.
After retiring from the Air Force, Victor Gibbons participated in many funerals and ceremonies in the Kearney area.
Mike Gibbons of Kearney said his brother was an expert showman who could spin a rifle as easily as cheerleaders twirl batons.
Gibbons said his father took great joy in pointing out Victor during television coverage of state events, and that Victor’s premature death was a heavy blow for their father.
Saturday at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Ross Gibbons patted the moisture on his cheek and again felt pride in his departed son.
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