Live Inspired with John O'Leary

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. 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.