At daybreak Dec. 29, one day after what would have been his 97th birthday, the skies over his hometown of Natchez were filled with Xs and Os, the international symbol for kisses and hugs.

What was it that brought on this magical event in the skies over Natchez? Well, I’m here to tell the story.

It was the passing of one of Natchez’s own, Maj. Gen. Grover C. Brown, the highest ranking military man ever to be buried in Natchez National Cemetery.

It all started when people in the hill country near General Brown’s birthplace in Fayette witnessed a formation of four jets flying low from the north to the south toward Natchez Cemetery, where the day before on Dec. 28, General Brown had been laid to rest, about a week after his death on Dec. 20.

A fly-by at a general’s death may not be an unusual event, but this was the day after and it was a most extraordinary event.

I’m an old Air Force vet myself and have seen many a fly-by, but this one was truly extraordinary as the jets split near the cemetery and crissed and crossed higher and higher each pass their contrails leaving a most beautiful patchwork of Xs and Os in the clear cool blue skies. It was truly pilots play at its finest, these fly boys were putting on a tremendous show.

However, there was also a message in this show as the last giant X was made when one flew west to east and one flew south to north and what it said was a giant “Thank You,” from the Air Force to one of its own.

That this could happen 40 years after a man’s retirement in this day and age is no small thing.

So “Kudos” to the Air Force and all who contributed to make this event happen.

To see something like this was so inspiring, a truly unforgettable event, and lest we forget, this tribute, this aerial salute, was a show of respect to honor one man’s contribution, one man’s service and sacrifice for the country he loved.

To me, what’s done for one is done for all, so this was the Air Force’s way of saying kisses and hugs to all who have served in past generations to preserve the American way of life, and to all those who continue today to put their lives on the line to continue this honorable tradition to preserve the ideals that are the American way of life.

What a way to start the new year and close out the old one!

Way to go fly boys for your inspirational show!

Way to go Maj. Gen. Grover C. Brown for your inspirational life!

John McClellan

Natchez resident