Nelson Krueger goes through the final check of Shepherd I, the TWA Boeing 727. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Nelson Krueger wears his Shepherd I flight jacket with and holds an obelisk personally presented to him by Pope John Paul II. Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979. Krueger will speak about his experiences. at 3 p.m. Friday in O'Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College in Atchison.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Pope John Paul II watches Nelson Krueger make a radio call. Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Nelson Krueger poses with Pope John Paul II's rain-soaked cape. Krueger hung the cape on a cockpit air vent to dry so it would be ready for the pope to wear at his speech before the United Nations General Assembly. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

A TWA paint shop worker paints the name Shepherd I onto a Boeing 727 in preparation for the pope's trip in the United States. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II sits at his specially-made white lambskin papal table inside Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II stands behind Sal Fallucco, the captain of Shepherd I and also a Roman Catholic. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Nelson Krueger poses with his wife, Judy, and his daughter, Jacquie, and son, Trevor, outside of Shepherd I. Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II greets people while exiting Shepherd I after a night arrival at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Nelson Krueger observes his special passenger from the cockpit window. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II signs Nelson Krueger's family Bible in the cockpit during the last leg of the trip. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II greets Chicago Major Jane Byrne and Chicago's Polish community as he deplanes Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II speaks with a crew member on Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Nelson Krueger relaxes inside the cockpit of Shepherd I. Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II played this guitar and sang "Silent Night" while awaiting departure in Philadelphia. Nelson Krueger brought the guitar along on the trip because he'd heard the pope liked to play. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II speaks to the general assembly of the United Nations in New York City, with the president of the general assembly behind him. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Crews from the Shepherd aircraft stand with their luggage in Philadelphia as security scans the luggage for dangerous substances. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Dogs sniff luggage for dangerous substances after the crew endured a bomb threat in New York City. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

A man grooms the red carpet for Pope John Paul II to walk on. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Nelson Krueger, far right, sits for a commemorative photo with Capt. Sal Fallucco, left, and First Officer Clarence Powell, center. The three pilots comprised the flight crew of Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II's closest 30 Catholic advisors sit in first class on Shepherd I. Many have since advanced to leadership roles in the Holy See. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II bids farewell to the Shepherd crews in Washington, D.C. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Nelson Krueger stands in front of the group of pilots for all three Shepherd aircraft. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II signals his common greeting "See you later" to the cockpit of Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II walks along the guarded red carpet toward Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II emerges from Shepherd I. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II stands outside Shepherd I with crews of the three Shepherd aircraft. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World

Pope John Paul II deplanes Shepherd I with a cardinal and Secret Service agents. Nelson Krueger, Lawrence resident, was one of the pilots for Shepherd I, Pope John Paul II's aircraft for his first visit to the United States in 1979.

Nelson Krueger/Special to the Journal-World