WORTHINGTON — The Blackhawk came in under the treeline.
No one heard it until it was almost in sight, inches above the runway. As a war machine, sneaking in is part of its primary job, but Wednesday it didn’t need to. Wednesday, the Blackhawk had a special task: to ferry a hero to Frankfort.
Ernie West boarded the helicopter at the Ashland Regional Airport during the morning hours to attend a ceremony awarding him a Medal of Honor Flag, a recognition accorded to service members who have received the nation’s highest award for gallantry in action.
West, 76, of Wurtland suffered multiple wounds in Korea in 1952 while fighting and rescuing his fellow soldiers.
He probably wouldn’t tell you that himself, but it’s all in the original medal citation. Some excerpts: “Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty ... patrol was ambushed ... numerous casualties ... braved intense fire ... grenades ... shifting his body to shelter the officer ... killed the assailants ... carried the helpless man to safety ... critically wounded ... lost an eye ... returned through withering fire ...to assist the wounded.”
Ask West what he thinks of the award and the adulation, and he’ll tell you he’s honored, of course, but he’s also somewhat perplexed.
“I think I’m an ordinary person,” he said. “I’m equal to everyone and everyone is equal to me.”
He’d prefer it if people would honor servicemembers serving today.
“Not me, I’m a has-been,” West said. “We need to honor our soldiers who are out there now.”
When the helicopter touched down, Staff Sgt. Chris Searcy, the crew chief, stepped out to help some passengers off the craft. There was West, his granddaughter, Bethany Hogsett, and state Rep. Tanya Pullin of South Shore, who was among the speakers at the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.
Another crew member handed out West’s awards, filling a cardboard box. Hogsett took the box but faltered, so West insisted on carrying it himself.
Searcy, still wearing his helmet, walked over to a pop machine and West saw him digging into his camouflage uniform for money. He touched Searcy on the shoulder and pulled out some bills. Searcy headed back to the helicopter with a handful of cold soda pops, courtesy of West.
As if escorting a hero didn’t already make his day, he shouted over the roar of the still-spinning rotors, “This is one of the best jobs I’ve had.”
Hogsett is 17 and will be a senior at Cabell-Midland High School this fall. She went with West under a special permission arrangement by the Army. In fact, she asked him to take her along.
“He was afraid for me to go,” she said.
Hogsett knows her grandfather is a hero. She’s heard it a hundred times and accompanied him to a number of other ceremonies, mostly Memorial Day commemoration and the like.
“This was really nice because it was in the Capitol and it was all about him,” Hogsett said.
Like her grandfather, she admits to a slight puzzlement about the plaudits.
“It’s cool, but strange at the same time,” Hogsett said. “To me he’s just Papaw.”
Still, her grandfather is too humble. He never boasts, she said. “But we gloat all the time.”
Searcy returned to the Blackhawk and the engine roared as it turned slowly and creeped back to the runway. It rolled toward takeoff and out of sight. The only sound was a lone cicada struggling to lift itself off the hot tarmac.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kevin Goldy
Discussion
Ernie goes to Frankfort
Awarded with a Medal of Honor Flag
- Local News
-
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
-
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”
-
More updates coming to Boyd jail
While a nonfunctional fire alarm system has been fixed, the Boyd County Detention Center is now dealing with problems in another of its security systems.
-
APD probes early morning stabbing
Ashland police are investigating a stabbing in the area of 30th Street and Greenup Avenue early Tuesday morning.
-
Local briefs: 2/8/12
A Carter County man was killed Monday in an all-terrain vehicle accident.
-
3 indicted in grave-marker thefts
A Carter County grand jury has indicted three in connection with the December theft of metal markers from the graves of World War II veterans.
-
Boyd to save money with refinancing
The Boyd County Fiscal Court is planning to save money by refinancing a bond issued for work on the county’s jail and sewer system.
-
White-nose syndrome found in more Kentucky caves
The mysterious and deadly disease that has been killing bats for several years in the United States has reached more caves in Kentucky.
-
A haunted hunt for a hidden hundred
On the heels of a tremendously popular effort in Louisa, “the Scare Crew” from the Fallsburg Haunted House will begin its next Haunted Hunt for Cash in Ashland this week, starting with a clue on the organization’s Facebook page.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
