…

Perhaps it’s because my father was in the Air Force.

He served as the navigator on B-17’s flying out of his base in England, was shot down on a mission over Germany, and survived as a POW in the infamous Stalag Luft 3.

I was with him once on a ferry out of Port Townsend, near his home in Sequim, Washington. He was wearing his “Flying Fortress B-17” cap, a treasured gift from my brother-in-law. (I saw one on the head of one of the veterans at the D-Day reunion.)

I noticed a young man, younger than I am anyway, watching my dad.

I watched him rise, come up to our seats, and ask my father if he was a veteran. When my dad replied, I watched this guy come to attention and salute my father.

It brought tears to his eyes.

It brings tears to mine now remembering it.

Whatever the trigger, this spot really hit me. I’m certain you’ve seen the short version, but this is the longer one:

Three of the men you see in this short film (and the ad) – “Razor,” “Zeke,” and “Offender” flew the jets shown in the spot as members of the Gunslinger squadron on the USS Saratoga during the Vietnam War.

This was their first in-person reunion in 16 years.

“Hollywood,” another Vietnam War veteran you meet in the film, served as a Major in the Air Force.

All of these guys are the real deal!

I love this campaign.

I think I would like it even without the connection to air warriors because of the emotion it generates connecting grandfather and granddaughter.

If you like it as well, you can see how it was made here:

My dad would’ve loved it so I’m thinking of him today, Father’s Day.

I love you, Dad!