Col Zachary “Thrill” Laird will be the first hero honored by Restatue America. Thrill had a distinguished career as A-10 pilot. He spent time at Davis-Monthan in Arizona, Moody in Georgia, and did two separate tours at Osan in Korea. He wasn’t just a pilot, though—he was an expert. He graduated from the USAF Weapons School as an instructor and eventually took command of the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis.
His final stop was at Fort Bragg. While serving as the Director of Fires, he pulled off something legendary: he led the biggest joint fires exercise in JSOC history. It was a massive undertaking with over 60 aircraft and 1,500 people – and was incredibly successful. He was a decorated pilot, earning the Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, and the Defense Superior Service Medal – while also earning two masters degrees and still managing to lift a beer with his friends.
If you asked anyone who worked with him, they wouldn’t just talk about his medals or his flying. They’d talk about the kind of leader he was. Thrill was the definition of “servant leadership.” He was approachable, kind, and always made sure his team focused on what matters most – the solider on the ground. He built a culture of respect wherever he went, and the impact he had on our country—and the people he served with—is something that deserves to be honored and remembered through Restatue America.