[Mat_Helm]

"Operated almost entirely out of Mayport Naval Station along with the Saratoga, Jacksonville, FL. I will never forget when the Sara came back home after the first Gulf War. The full cadre of airwings flew low in formation along the St. Johns River right through downtown and from there headed out to Cecil Field. The next day she steamed in to port, missing the first casualty of the war, hometown pilot Scott Speicher.."

I remember "Spike" Scott Speicher when he was training at NAS Lemoore just before the Gulf War. Working for Hughes Aricraft Co. had him in the flight simulator and weapons trainer for a few weeks. Remember when word got out in the Hornet community that he was shot down the first night. He was not even supposed to be on the first sortie that night and was the ready alert, but convinced the Ex O to let him take part in the first attack of the war. He was a nice guy.

[mazda77]

My son’s church is where his memorial was held and there is a memorial monument near the front of the church still today. I was living in the Cecil area then. I remember one of my racing friends lived next door to his home.