Category Archives: Memorials

Hymn to a Humble Hero

Testimony of Pilot # 35

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National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day -Reflections

Testimony of Pilot #34 War and remembrance No matter the old, “smart” decision makers No matter the politics Or “statecraft” of the DC pundits It was our war We fought it Some lost years Some lost lives Some lost family … Continue reading

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A Gift of Wings – Forever Young

Testimony of Pilot# 23 Be courageous and be brave And in my heart you’ll always stay Forever Young, Forever Young, Forever Young  Rod Stewart Throughout our lives we receive multiple gifts, many simply because we are loved. But for aviators, … Continue reading

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Testimony of Pilot: Pilgrimage of Honor

Testimony of Pilot# 20 On the evening of 10 January 1973 , VA-115 “A-rabs” aircrew Lt. Mike “Mondo” McCormick and Ltjg. Alan “Arlo” Clark, were catapulted from the  USS Midway, flying  “Arab 511.” They were on a single plane low … Continue reading

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Testimony of Pilot: “I Am a Dragon, America the Beautiful Like You Will Never Know”

Testimony of Pilot#3 From AIRSHIPS; Testimony of Pilot by Barry Hannah … Through Lilian I got the word that Quadberry was out of Annapolis and now flying jets off the Bonhomme Richard, an aircraft carrier headed for Vietnam.  He telegrammed her that … Continue reading

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Remembered Sky: A Naval Aviator Lies in State

 You Only Live Twice “My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for 60 years, and especially my fellow Arizonians, thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public … Continue reading

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Veterans Day 2017: What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Burns and Novick The Vietnam War – A Counter Anthology The PBS documentary The Vietnam War by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick has received critical acclaim  and has been recommended for showing in schools. It follows Burns reputation well as … Continue reading

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Memorial Day 2015: Mondo and Arlo

Sometimes on days like today, I find myself lost in the abstract –service to country, freedom, sacrifice, the flags, the tombstones of Arlington. The feelings are not wrong, indeed they are most important and necessary, but at the base are … Continue reading

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Not on My Watch – In Memory of Dave ‘Snako’ Kelly

I attended the Celebration of Life for Dave Snako Kelly on Saturday 3 May on-board USS Midway.Hot afternoon but not nearly as hot and humid as it was 42 years ago in the Gulf of Tonkin. Dave and all the rest … Continue reading

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What kind of war was it? – “How do I know, I saw the whole thing backwards!” June 4-7, 1942 at Midway

Battle of Midway, Commanding Officer, USS Enterprise, Serial 0133 of 8 June 1942 At Sea June 8, 1942 From: The Commanding Officer. To: The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet Via: Commander Task Force Sixteen. (Rear Admiral R.A. Spruance, U.S. Navy). Subject: … Continue reading

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