Page 109 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

GEORGE VRLA
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT AIR FORCE
BY JAMIE LEIGH GREEN, DAUGHTER
Highland Springs resident George Vrla dreamed of flying as a boy. Graduation from High School for him came at the early age of 16 as
he had been promoted a grade or two. In 1947 at 17 George joined the Naval Air Reserve while attending college at North Texas State University. He served in the Naval Air Reserve from 1947-1949 and the $30 a month pay went a long way for the struggling student. In 1951 George joined the United States Air Force as a pilot. He was stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana, and in Moutre, Georgia. While flying maneuvers he had to bail out of a fighter jet in Georgia. He was featured in the local papers shaking the hand of the woman who packed his parachute. He tried to hide this event from his parents so as not to worry them. Of course ....they found out!
George served from 1951-1955 in Libya, Africa, Newfoundland, and Bermuda. He was discharged with honor as a First Lieutenant. In 1956 he was hired by American Airlines as a First Officer. He eventually became a Captain and flew domestic and international flights. Once again as a commercial airline pilot, Captain Vrla stepped up during the Vietnam War to fly cargo runs for the military delivering supplies to the troops. George flew 35 years for American Airlines. His last flights were to Hawaii and New Zealand. He realized his childhood dream and served our nation at the same time. A great career of service.
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