“Frightening” was the word used by World War II Colonel Arthur J. Mills (A.J.), a six year resident of Presbyterian Village North, as he described Air Force missions over Europe. Mills served for 27 years, and he experienced many close calls and dangerous situations as a bomber pilot. He regularly came under fire and his wing commander was shot down during one mission. While Mills and many other veterans were overseas in battle, many women were making their own sacrifices as they waited anxiously for news about their loved ones’ whereabouts. Iris Killough, a resident of Presbyterian Village North, was at home in Texas raising their first child when she received news that her husband, James Killough, had broken his back due to injuries sustained from an explosion during the invasion of Okinawa. He served in the Army for 30 years and received many accommodations, including the Purple Heart.  For both Mills and Killough, Veterans Day is a time of reflection and remembrance.

“During World War II, each mission consisted of 36 aircraft per wing all throughout Europe,” said Mills. “We lost many airmen, and the chance of completing 50 missions before reassignment back to the states was quite low. I’ll never forget when Colonel Crowder, the Wing Commander was shot down and killed when I was his wingman. A lone enemy fighter plane came in from a frontal pass firing all of his guns at us. Our gunners shot his plane down, after he attacked our leader. We suffered a great loss that day. That experience has stuck with me all these years. It is an extreme tragedy. I have a lot of admiration for the men and women serving our country today, and I commend their loved ones for going through such hardship while they are away.”

At a young age, Mills had been hopeful of attending West Point and becoming a pilot in the US Army. He joined the Tennessee National Guard and enrolled in courses at Southwestern in Memphis on a football scholarship in order to help him achieve his goal. He then enlisted for one year. With war clouds on the horizon the National Guard was federalized. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Mills applied for aviation training as a pilot and was accepted for twin engine training. Upon receiving his pilot's wings and the gold bars as a second Lieutenant, Mills completed training as a B-24 (4 engine bomber) pilot. He ended up serving in the Air Force moving up in rank and serving in a multitude of roles for 27 years.

As Veterans Day approaches, Mills reflects on his memories and feelings over many flights in such hostile areas as the Ploesti oil fields, Munich Marshalling yards, and other targets with intense anti-aircraft and fighter defense, where many of his friends were lost in air battles. He also expressed grave concern for those family members as time goes by. War time is extremely challenging for families of the military men and women. Iris Killough recalls what it was like to be a family member with a loved one at war.  

“I am so proud of my husband James and the grace with which he served our country,” said Iris Killough. “We were married before he went overseas. He was a lawyer prior to joining the Army. I worked for him as a secretary, and we dated for a couple of years. He told me that I was such a terrible secretary that marrying me was the only way he could get me out of the office. His humor was certainly one of his qualities that made me say, ‘Yes.’ As a wife of a man in the Army, it was emotionally difficult for me at times just thinking about him fighting overseas. You can only imagine my worry when I found out he had been thrown into a ditch by a bomb blast and had broken his back during the invasion of Okinawa. Thankfully, he survived and received a Purple Heart for his service. He accomplished many wonderful things during the rest of his tenure.”

James enjoyed the camaraderie that he built with fellow soldiers, he was proud to serve his country and led a very interesting life. He fought for his country again in Korea and waved the first American flag over South Korea, served as military mayor in Korea after the war, served as a military intelligence and security officer for the space program and established security for the first flight at Cape Canaveral, to name of few of his accomplishments.  He and Iris traveled a lot and lived in several places and raised two sons and a daughter during their life together.

“World War II was an interesting time for women as well,” said Iris. “Many women went to work to support their families. I was raising our first son and working for a company in Arlington that made war equipment. Many women had started wearing slacks in their new occupations. My parents were very disapproving of this trend. I was living with them while James was away and started wearing them after I moved out of their home. Many of the women maintained their jobs even after their husbands returned, as they enjoyed the lifestyle that came with a joint income. It wasn’t always easy to be the wife of a man in the Army. My advice for men and women who are married to spouses serving our country is to be prepared to work together through changing and challenging circumstances. It’s not always easy or fun, but love will find a way.”

Presbyterian Village North is hosting a Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m. in their auditorium. The theme is “We are Americans,” and the community expects more than 250 residents, family members and guests to attend. Five veterans who live at PVN will have specific roles during the ceremony. The community is honored to have Franklin Middle School JROTC conduct the presentation of colors, and mezzo soprano Pamela King Acker, a member of the Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation, will sing a patriotic medley in honor of all the veterans. Toward the end of the ceremony, PVN will play a compilation of service songs (Air Force Song, Army Song, Coast Guard March, Marine Hymn and Navy Fight Song) and requests that veterans and spouses of veterans stand or raise their hands when their song is being played.

“There are many veterans and spouses of veterans that live at Presbyterian Village North, and we feel honored when we hear about their experiences,” said Ron Kelly. “It is a real privilege to be able to listen to their stories, and it helps us understand what they have been through. This celebration is a way to honor their sacrifice and the sacrifices made by fellow veterans and their spouses.”