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Propaganda was constantly played on the radio. This was used to
try and brainwash the soldiers to become supporters of communism.
They were not allowed to share if they disagreed with that form of
government or even if they missed home. The soldiers were not
allowed to talk with one another, so they learned to tap on the wall
to communicate. Upon hearing that they may be coming home, they
were excited, but calm. “Everybody kept their mouth shut, knowing
they weren’t supposed to make noise,” he shared.
The day to leave finally came. On February 12,1973, nearly 600
soldiers boarded the American plane that the POWs had affectionately
named “The Hanoi Taxi.” They flew first to Guam, then to Travis Air
Force Base in San Francisco. From there, they were all flown to the
base nearest their home. Thomas Collins III arrived at Keesler AFB in
Biloxi. He was greeted by his wife, two sons (Edward was born while
Mr. Collins was a POW), his mother, and other family members. He
said he didn’t allow himself to get overly emotional when he was
finally back on U.S. soil because he had spent over seven years learning
to hide emotions. They simply weren’t allowed while he was a POW.
It’s no wonder that Lieutenant Colonel Collins went on to be highly
regarded and heavily decorated. In his hometown of Utica, he was
greeted with a huge sign that read, “Welcome Home Tom Collins!”
The transition from coming home to getting back to his normal
American life was pretty rapid. Collins went through Armed Forces
Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, and then went to the University of
Southern Mississippi to get his MBA. He served with the Air Force
Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, from 1974 to
1975, and as assistant professor of aerospace studies at the University
of Southern Mississippi from 1975 to 1978. He then worked at Maxwell
AFB, Alabama, from 1978 until his retirement from the Air Force in
1980.
After retiring, Tom served as executive director of the Mississippi
Veteran’s Farm & Home Board from 1981 to 1987. He was then personally
asked by President George H.W. Bush to serve as assistant secretary
of labor for veterans’ employment under Elizabeth Dole, from 1989 to
1992, and he served on the board of directors for the Institute for
International Commerce from 1992 to 1993. Tom and his wife Donnie
were married for over 52 years until her death on November 14, 2011.
What an honor it is for Brandon to be the home of this incredibly
strong hero. He carries himself with such gentleness and humility.
And just like the adorned walls of his home, he has a treasure trove of
stories to tell and an immeasurable amount of inspiration to spark.
Hometown RANKIN • 19