For Memorial Day

I remember my father, who lies in a veteran's cemetery in Maryland. Some of my most vivid memories with him are the air shows at the AFBs that we lived on, which instilled in me a lifetime love of aviation.
 
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Some heroes aren't lost in battle, but their loss hurts nonetheless. My friend Karl was my first service related loss, but sadly, not my last. Hard to believe it has been almost 30 years.

I met Karl at UVa, and then went through flight school with him. Just by being himself, he pushed me to better myself. Subtly, when playing intramural sports. Aggressively, when, as "undesirables" we were fighting to fly, so that we could fly to fight, and fight to win. He was a Great American.

This article accurately represents the man he was (if you care to read it), and the fine line between living and dying in military aviation.

RIP brother. I need to visit a few gravestones at Arlington, yours is one.
 
Uncle Bill. One of the kindest people I've ever known. I never heard him raise his voice to anyone. Truck driver in Europe. Survived the battle of the bulge, and never talked about it. Had flashbacks of that during his last few months, from things he'd been carrying around for 40+ years. PTSD wasn't a known thing back then.

This weekend I'm going to have some burgers and think about Uncle Bill and his love for motorcycles and engines.
 
Some years ago on Memorial Day my kids were jumping on the trampoline, having a great time, being kids. I found myself very thankful for those who fought and died for our country, so that my kids could jump on the trampoline without a care in the world.

Last night they were jumping on the trampoline again (it doesn't happen as often now) and thinking the same thing.
 
If you actually remember family members who died in WW2, you are at least 82 years old. You not much younger if you actually knew someone who died in the Korean War.
 
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Clip4 said:
If you actually remember family members who died in WW2, you are at least 82 years old. You not much younger if you actually knew someone who died in the Korean War.
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My taxidermist's father in law was in the Korean War. He still goes salmon fishing in Alaska every year. I get to play Uber driver. He's smart as a whip and absolutely hysterical.
 
Ted said:
Some years ago on Memorial Day my kids were jumping on the trampoline, having a great time, being kids. I found myself very thankful for those who fought and died for our country, so that my kids could jump on the trampoline without a care in the world.

Last night they were jumping on the trampoline again (it doesn't happen as often now) and thinking the same thing.
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I found the picture, from Memorial Day 5 years ago.

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For those who would like to spend the day thinking and reflecting there are so many I know..but I can give you a couple of names to which I have very close connection who gave it all. CW4 Kieth Mariotti and Specialist 5 Michael Lautzenheiser both Army Aviation. I will be hoisting a toast to absent companions today but both would say have a party and enjoy all that comes with the day for most.
 
Thanks to all who sacrificed it all, but because they can’t receive the thank you directly, thank you to you families who have relatives who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I can’t imagine what the soldier/sailor/airmen and their families’ hopes, dreams, and last fears were, but most were just kids with a lot of life left to live (compared to this old guy, who lives a soft air-conditioned life).

Thank you.

-Unworthy of Your Sacrificial Actions
 
All gave some, some gave all.

I didn't serve, but am sincerely grateful to all who did.

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I'm grateful to all of the vets, and particularly thankful that my dad made it home after spending much of WWII in the Pacific theater. Ditto for my uncle, who fought in the European theater.
 
My wife's uncle Bobby ( @2-Bit Speed 's great uncle) died in Korea when his F-86 had some sort of problem and went down while he was returning to base. Unfortunately we don't have the photos or the medals mentioned in the letter below. I assume they made their way to his widow, but nobody really seems to know.

His remains are buried in Rich Hill, SC (near Lancaster). Whenever we visit the family plot there, I leave a nickel for him. No military pilot around to do it, so I'll have to do.

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To my graduating classmates CW2 Nick Dimona, CW3 Hector Ramirez and CW3 Hershel McCants. To my former student CW3 Taylor Galvin. To my IE course checkride buddy CW4 Gary Farwell and to my Rucker schoolhouse coworker DAC John Bolling (Vietnam Vet). Rest east brothers.
 
Velocity173 said:
To my graduating classmates CW2 Nick Dimona, CW3 Hector Ramirez and CW3 Hershel McCants. To my former student CW3 Taylor Galvin. To my IE course checkride buddy CW4 Gary Farwell and to my Rucker schoolhouse coworker DAC John Bolling (Vietnam Vet). Rest east brothers.
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My Brother,

Hershel "Dan" McCants was in my Company. My crew and I recovered him and others back to Kandahar after the accident (I was chalk one in the accident flight). I was fortunate to attend his funeral at Arlington. Small world.

Blue skies, and tailwinds John, Brandon, Dan, Adam, Ryan, Scott, Tre, Jeremy, Bruce, James, Kerry, Shamus, Kip, Mike, Duke, and Stephen.

NSDQ!
 
My late husband, Will Jones (Darkhorse 18). He did not die in Vietnam, but the war killed him nevertheless. It just took a few years for his injuries to catch up with him. Fortunately, those years included me. You can actually read about him and how he was shot down and injured in Low Level Hell, by Hugh Mills. Darkhorse 18 was his call sign.
 
Flymy47 said:
My Brother,

Hershel "Dan" McCants was in my Company. My crew and I recovered him and others back to Kandahar after the accident (I was chalk one in the accident flight). I was fortunate to attend his funeral at Arlington. Small world.

Blue skies, and tailwinds John, Brandon, Dan, Adam, Ryan, Scott, Tre, Jeremy, Bruce, James, Kerry, Shamus, Kip, Mike, Duke, and Stephen.

NSDQ!
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I knew Dan would go 160th at some point. Most of the former enlisted special ops guys try to eventually.

I remember in WOBC we were doing the second ruck. Think the first one was like 4 miles and the second a 6 miler. Anyway, Dan won the first one by far but I really wanted to push hard and finish high on the second. I went out fast and was leading the pack up to the 2 mile marker. I’m huffing and puffing but hear someone coming up fast. Dan passed me like I was standing still. I looked over at him and said “you’re a f’ing machine McCants.” I’ll never forget the grin on his face when I said that. I may have graduated higher than him but I would never have the type of drive and dedication of a “McCants.”There are those that can dig deep and find a way to win and he was one of them.

The student (CW3 Taylor Galvin) I mentioned above also went 160th. He was the epitome of “the silent professional” but it was also clear in training, he was going to go on to bigger and better things. It was an honor to serve with those types of individuals.
 
judypilot said:
My late husband, Will Jones (Darkhorse 18). He did not die in Vietnam, but the war killed him nevertheless. It just took a few years for his injuries to catch up with him. Fortunately, those years included me. You can actually read about him and how he was shot down and injured in Low Level Hell, by Hugh Mills. Darkhorse 18 was his call sign.
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Judy,

I read Low Level Hell in high school, and it's one of my favorite books. It was one of the reasons I went into Army Aviation. Your late husband was a hero, and a national treasure. Thank you for sharing.
 
Velocity173 said:
I knew Dan would go 160th at some point. Most of the former enlisted special ops guys try to eventually.

I remember in WOBC we were doing the second ruck. Think the first one was like 4 miles and the second a 6 miler. Anyway, Dan won the first one by far but I really wanted to push hard and finish high on the second. I went out fast and was leading the pack up to the 2 mile marker. I’m huffing and puffing but hear someone coming up fast. Dan passed me like I was standing still. I looked over at him and said “you’re a f’ing machine McCants.” I’ll never forget the grin on his face when I said that. I may have graduated higher than him but I would never have the type of drive and dedication of a “McCants.”There are those that can dig deep and find a way to win and he was one of them.

The student (CW3 Taylor Galvin) I mentioned above also went 160th. He was the epitome of “the silent professional” but it was also clear in training, he was going to go on to bigger and better things. It was an honor to serve with those types of individuals.
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Yeah, Dan had that "long-tab" swagger. As a young BMQ he liked to hang with the backender's when he could, as I think that was his safe space away from the flight leads.
 
Flymy47 said:
Yeah, Dan had that "long-tab" swagger. As a young BMQ he liked to hang with the backender's when he could, as I think that was his safe space away from the flight leads.
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I was just thinking the other guy I mentioned (Nick Dimona) above was a 160th CE probably the same time you were there (late 90s?).

That’s a tragic story there. He died while flying an Apache on the range in Ft Stewart. Unfortunately, seen the computer sim / audio of that one. His 20 yr old son would die from friendly fire in 2019 during a CALFEX in Alaska. Sad deal.
 
Velocity173 said:
I was just thinking the other guy I mentioned (Nick Dimona) above was a 160th CE probably the same time you were there (late 90s?).

That’s a tragic story there. He died while flying an Apache on the range in Ft Stewart. Unfortunately, seen the computer sim / audio of that one. His 20 yr old son would die from friendly fire in 2019 during a CALFEX in Alaska. Sad deal.
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That name sounds familiar, but I didn't get to REGT until early '02. That is a sad story for sure. The things some families endure.
 
Flymy47 said:
Judy,

I read Low Level Hell in high school, and it's one of my favorite books. It was one of the reasons I went into Army Aviation. Your late husband was a hero, and a national treasure. Thank you for sharing.
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Wow! Thank YOU for sharing. He was an amazing man, gone too soon. Even though it's been almost 15 years and I've happily remarried, I still miss him.

By the way, the story about the toad is true....:yes:
 
catmandu said:
Some heroes aren't lost in battle, but their loss hurts nonetheless. My friend Karl was my first service related loss, but sadly, not my last. Hard to believe it has been almost 30 years.

I met Karl at UVa, and then went through flight school with him. Just by being himself, he pushed me to better myself. Subtly, when playing intramural sports. Aggressively, when, as "undesirables" we were fighting to fly, so that we could fly to fight, and fight to win. He was a Great American.

This article accurately represents the man he was (if you care to read it), and the fine line between living and dying in military aviation.

RIP brother. I need to visit a few gravestones at Arlington, yours is one.
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That was and is a great piece of writing about a very good man.

Two uncles were WWII Vets. One, Ralph, a Radioman/Gunner in B-25's and the other, Joe, an Infantry Grunt in Italy. When Joe came home, he gave me a cigarbox of German Insignia and Medals that he took off of dead or captured Germans after combat firefights. I gave them to his kids later when he passed.

A good friend, Ed, flew as co-pilot in B-26's in the ETO and was shot down and captured on his 24th mission. Of the crew, only two survived. The Pilot was shot and killed coming down in his chute after he bailed out. Ed only talked about his experiences after 20 or so years later.

Too many don't remember what Memorial Day is really about.
 
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