Thursday, October 24, 2013

A Very, Very Bad Day ...


Yesterday, Oct. 23, P-51D "Galveston Gal", operated by the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, went down in shallow water just west of its home base.  The two gentlemen aboard did not survive the crash.

Those of you who follow me know that this airplane and the folks who fly and maintain it are very close to me.  I knew the pilot, a very experienced military and civilian pilot who had been flying the Museum's warbirds for many years.  The passenger was a British citizen who was in the States on vacation.  His wife had purchased the ride for him for their 41st wedding anniversary.

I was in Galveston yesterday, at the museum preparing for this weekend's Wings Over Houston airshow.  The things I saw, heard, and felt will be with me for the rest of my life - much as I wish they weren't. 

Galveston Gal had recently been fully restored, and was meticulously maintained.  I know this for a fact.  I still have dirty rags in my truck, used last weekend at the Alliance airshow to clean 'Gal' for her performance there.  I remember how proud I felt watching her taxi out yesterday, still 'spotless' from my hours of cleaning her skin.

Godspeed, Keith ...

Rest In Peace, John ...

Gal, we're going to miss you ...

Saturday, October 5, 2013

A Hero Passes ...



Nick Oresko, age 96, passed away from complications following surgery to repair a leg fracture.  He was surrounded at bedside by military and veterans (he had outlived all of his immediate family).  Master Sargent Oresko was the oldest living recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Assigned to Charlie Company, 302nd Infantry, 94th Infantry Division, on January 23, 1945 near Tettington Germany, Oreseko singlehandedly attacked and destroyed two enemy machine gun bunkers.  Though seriously wounded in the hip, he eliminated 12 German soldiers, thereby clearing the way for his company to advance with minimum casualties.

Godspeed, Sgt. Oresko ... thank you for your service for our country ...