ARLINGTON, Va. - Air Force Lt. Col. Darel Leetun was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, 39 years after his F-105 fighter-bomber was shot down near the North Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

During a 45-minute service, Keith Leetun of Weyers Cave spoke of his father's effect on others, from fellow pilots who saw the 33-year-old pilot die to a Minnesota woman who never knew him. He also said his father's loyalty to his country offered "a flicker of hope" to future generations of patriotic Americans.

"What was meant for evil, God turned into good," said Leetun, 45. "Dad has come home."

The children of Keith and Rene Leetun - Jack, 13; Joni, 11; and Jane, 10 - sang "America the Beautiful" as a tribute to the grandfather they never met.

Keith Leetun's remarks included a reference to Jana Isle of Brainerd, Minn., who in 1975 bought a Missing In Action bracelet inscribed with Darel Leetun's name and date of disappearance. Upon learning of the recovery of Darel Leetun's remains, Isle sent the bracelet to Keith Leetun who, joined by sister Kerri Cain, placed the memento on his dad's coffin.

After the chapel rite, eight chestnut horses drew Darel Leetun's charcoal caisson two miles down a twisting asphalt road to the grave site, where Maj. Gen. Charles Baldwin presented Keith Leetun with the American flag that covered the casket.

The service ended with a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of "Taps."

The gathering of about 130 at the service included Darel Leetun's widow, Janet Chamberlen, and Darel Leetun's nephew, Robert Leetun of Longmont, Colo. Chamberlen and Cain both live in Charlottesville. Sen. Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota, where Darel Leetun grew up, also attended.

A program for the service said Darel Leetun received the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart.