Airports and Freedom

Jackson Hole airport behind Grand Teton range

I haven’t travelled for a while so I let my mind wander, back in time to loosen up and let myself free. And if there’s one thing that signifies freedom, it’s this –airports! Inviting, promising, fresh, and always with fascinating stories to tell behind their names; so when I’m bored, tired, confused, occupied, in a fit? I go to airports, international airports, and mingle with travelers; then my mind is relaxed, and begins to wander, to various destinations, new territories. Ahh this wanderlust….

One of the best airports I’ve been to is located in a valley, in the U.S. state of Wyoming, near the western border with Idaho. Simplistic design, mostly made of timber, low, rustic – this airport felt like a log cabin, a cozy home in the midst of two of the most beloved national parks in the continental United States, Yellowstone and Grand Teton and this airport is at the base of Grand Teton range itself. History has it that early trappers (for fur) most notably David Edward Jackson had to descend this valley along steep slopes, giving the sensation of entering a hole. Hence the name, for both the valley and the airport -Jackson Hole.

Maybe not a fascinating story, but this one is: O’Hare Airport in Michigan, one of the busiest in the world in terms of passenger volume and aircraft movement. This is the story, as told by Justice Sandoval of the Sandiganbayan in one forum:

Passengers at O’Hare International airport   

There was a lawyer named – Edward Joseph O’Hare who made himself a fortune by defending this loathsome bootlegger and murderer -Al Capone, the iconic Godfather of Chicago. Al Capone calls him Easy Eddie. O’Hare, nearing the end of his life was conscience stricken, he promised to leave his only son the best gift he could give – a good name. But in doing so, he had to turnaround and bite Capone in the neck. So what used to be spoken in codes and whispers in dimly lit corners, were exposed in the open - O’Hare told all of Al’s illegal businesses in the heat of a tax evasion case hearings! He paid this expose with his life (shot in the head by Capone’s gunmen), but O’Hare had set the example for his son, who later on became Lieutenant Commander of the Navy Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare.

Butch enlisted in the Navy. This was World War II. War in the Pacific. February 20, 1942. When the younger O’Hare was guarding the aircraft carrier USS Lexington with his wingman Duff (while most of the fighter planes were out on several missions) a fleet of Japanese fighter-bombers attacked the Lexington. Though heavily outnumbered, Butch managed to shot down 3 Japanese planes and damaged another. Because of this heroism, he saved the Lexington from destruction, became a flying ace and was awarded the Medal of Honor; and yes, lent his name for an airport in Chicago, Illinois -the Edward Henry O’Hare airport.

Ahh airports, and freedom yes, they make good stories. And wanderlust? Yeah, yeah, keeps recurring….