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Unlikely Friendship Between Two Former Foes

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Years ago, the rivalry between two men was so strong, one tried to kill the other in the Vietnam War.

Dan Cherry of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Hong My of Vietnam first crossed paths in airplanes, and they are meeting up again in an airport.

"It appeared that he survived, but I didn't know for sure," said Cherry.

Cherry, a retired brigadier general, wanted to make his international guest feel welcome, the way he was welcomed to Vietnam one year ago.

On television, General Cherry reconnected with Hong My, the young, Vietnamese Lieutenant he'd shot down April 16, 1972 in what Cherry described as a "dog fight."

Cherry admitted he often wondered what happened to the young pilot he watched eject himself and parachute to safety more than 35 years ago.

"We have met, one year before in Vietnam, and we have been friends already," said My.

Hong My made his first trip to the U.S. to help Cherry launch Aviation Heritage Park. The park is in Bowling Green and features General Cherry's original F-4 phantom.

Cherry found the aircraft in a small, Ohio town.

"She still had my red victory star on the side, and that made me really proud. Made me sad, though, because she was in pretty sad condition, very dirty, bird droppings all over her, tires flat," said Cheery.

Hong My and Dan Cherry will, not only kick-off "Aviation Heritage Park" in two days, they've been invited to appear at "Sun 'n Fun" Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida on April 22, and the Smithsonian.

Retired General Dan Cherry even wrote a book, called "My Enemy - My Friend." You can learn about the book and this new aviation park in Bowling Green by clicking here.