Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 20, 1993 TAG: 9305200445
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WENDI GIBSON RICHERT STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But that was before he was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and the leader and commander of the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's well-known flight demonstration squadron.
Since he became leader and commander 14 months ago, Darnell has scribbled his name across glossy pictures and slick brochures of the flight team countless times. He returned to his hometown for more of the same May 11. His crew was at Andrews Air Force Base to perform for the president and others, so he made a quick trip home.
During a reception at the Vinton Senior Citizens Center, folks lined up to greet their hometown hero, many for the first time since he left home 17 years ago.
Before the reception and autograph line began, though, Darnell spoke to students at William Byrd High School, which he attended before graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1975.
He was presented with an oil painting of himself, the U.S. flag waving in the background and the Thunderbirds flying in their breathtaking delta formation beneath his face. The painting, done by Roanoke artist Joan Henley from pictures only, will hang in William Byrd.
The real surprise came at the reception, however, when Darnell was whisked away from greeting old friends and signing autographs by high school buddy and Thunderbird fan Ray Jones. Then, Darnell was presented with a second oil painting - just like the first, this one for keeps.
Darnell may be lugging the beautiful framed oil around for a while, though, because he won't return home to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada just yet. The Thunderbirds, who fly for two years before a new crew steps in, are in the air from March until November, flying demonstration shows all over the United States and in other countries, too.
Darnell says he's looking forward to getting home to his wife and three children this winter. But the thrill of being a Thunderbird commander/leader has been the best in his Air Force career.
"There will be nothing that I do that will top this," he says of the military unit's most visible position.
But he does have another goal in mind. He would like to serve as a wing commander, in charge of several air squadrons.
And, when Darnell has finished his rounds in the Air Force, he says he would like to return to Vinton, where you can bet folks will be mighty glad to stand in line again to greet him home.
by CNB