[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This is an EXCELLENT essay by FReeper kinganamort to read.
All In Action : You Are Not Forgotten
Posted on 3/12/02 6:43 PM Pacific by kinganamort

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Tonkin, I was there earlier and you are so right it is excellent. Thank you for posting it here.

Thank you kinganamort for the writing.

[Long Cut]

Good morning, all. This is my first morning of leave, so of course I have a list of chores to do around the house in anticipation of the arrival of the In-laws, so I must be brief with what's on my mind.

A few days ago, a Navy SH-60 Seahawk helicopter was lost off the coast of Greece. The crew has not been found, but is presumed dead. The two pilots were young Lieutenants, and the Enlisted Aircrewman was a 21-year old Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Second Class, the same rate and rank as I. He also wore these:

I did not know him personally, but in our small community, it can be said that I knew his type well. He was, in addition to being a subhunter like me, a Rescue Swimmer, which is a yet higher calling. He and his crew were based out of NAS Jacksonville, as I am.

They were on a simple, routine functional check flight that is performed on aircraft after maintinence is performed on the bird. I've done thousands.

I don't know if this has been posted here yet as a story, but it was on my mind for obvious reasons. I know you all join me in wishing all our prayers and condolences to the families of these three brave men. Military Aviation is a dangerous business even when no one is shooting at you; I had a plane I was on catch fire last week. Thank you all, once again, for all your kind words of support and caring. They are more valuable to us than you can possibly imagine.

BRAVO ZULU TO ALL AVIATION WARRIORS, REGARDLESS OF POSITION OR PLATFORM!!!!

[lodwick]

Excellent link - thanks, Tonk. JL

[Victoria Delsoul]

Morning friends! Have a nice day, everyone.

Payback !

[Billie]

Thanks, Tonk, and......I saw your picture late on last night's thread....way to go - a real newsmaker among us!

[Nitro]

If I knew what I know now before I joined up, I might have given it a pass!!

The United States of America has always dis-regarded the veterans that have served her and to this day it amazes me that there are always people who are willing to give of their lives to serve!!

Still and all, no matter how badly they treat me, I still know I served and that will have to be enough!!!