Episode Details

"We found ourselves in parachutes floating down over enemy territory."

Charlie Plumb spent his impoverished yet idyllic childhood in Kansas "kicking cans and playing in the light of the moon." When it was time for college, he won a scholarship and hopped on a Greyhound bus to the military academy in Annapolis.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, he immediately married his high school sweet heart and went onto flight training. In 1963 he was in Vietnam and on his 75th mission, his plane was shot down.

Charlie says what got him through captivity was his "why" or his purpose -- coming home safely to his bride. Years later when he finally got off enemy soil and called her, she shared that she had filed for divorce and was engaged to another man.

Charlie was never bitter. He didn't regret not knowing that his wife had moved on. "I thought, how can I be unhappy? I've just been released from prison. 24/7 I didn't know if I'd be alive [and today I'm free] you can't rain on my parade."

Charlie's spirit captivated John and Charlie is one of the reasons John so vulnerably shares his story today.

In honor of Memorial Day, it is our honor to share the story of Charlie Plumb, an American Hero. He will inspire you to never take your freedom or life for granted.

SHOW NOTES:

• Charlie learned about forgiveness from his mom and discipline from his dad. Both were qualities he needed to survive the prison camps.
• Critical to suriving:
  1. Keeping your sense of humor
  2. Finding a way to communicate with each other. "The importance of the communication wasn't the thought we were passing around it was the validation of another human being.
  3. Having faith that there was a purpose to this [being shot down].
  4. Remembering you have a choice. The first few months I was bitter. But I realized I was killing myself by not knowing my purpose. I figured if their was a why, I'd find a way to so survive.
• Those there longest (POWs) came back with a lower rate of PTSD because great leadership unified us under a mission statement: Return with honor. (Listen here to past podcast guest, Michaela Haas, expert on Post Traumatic Growth.)
• What was your why/purpose? My bride. I planned our next 20 years on how I'd make it up to her. People ask if I wish I'd known she was going to divorce me. No, planning 20 birthdays, anniversaries, etc. is what got me through.
• Therapists told me: You gotta get bitter! The longer you wait the more difficult it will be and you'll have a mental break down. My thought process: How can I be unhappy? I've just been released from prison. 24/7 I didn't know if I'd be alive - you can't rain on my parade.
• I ran into the man who packed my parachute. He said. "I'm not the only parachute packer in your life. Your parents, big sister, little brother, preacher, coaches, they are the ones who allowed you safe descent and passage through those 6.5 years." Who packs your parachute? Whose are you packing?
• Advice for anyone in-prisoned: Look at the value of challenge. Adversity is a horrible thing to waste.
• Don't blame other people for your problems, because away goes your opportunity to be better bc of the problem you're facing.
• Get Charlie's book I'm No Hero here.
• Learn more about Charlie at www.CharliePlumb.com

CHARLIE PLUMB'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Bible, chapter of Job.

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