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  #1  
Old 09-11-2011, 07:37 PM
kwpilot kwpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DC Area
Posts: 26
Default Personal 9/11 Commemorative RV Flight

Like most people, I recall clearly where I was and what I was doing on 9/11. I was a recently commissioned lieutenant in flight school working on a systems simulator when an instructor came in and said, "They just hit the pentagon too." Of course that got our attention, so we turned on the TV and watched as the towers fell. In that moment I realized that these events had set a path before me and everyone else in that room. I turned to my stick buddy and said, "So much for a quiet career", as we all knew things were about to get busy.

I went off to Korea for my first assignment as the events in Afghanistan unfolded and watched and listened as the Iraq debate heated up and eventually resulted in the invasion. I listened to the war coverage on the radio as we we're conducting a gunnery in a field environment so we didn't have CNN. I was on assignment to a unit that was templated as the reserve force for the initial invasion, and within weeks of returning from Korea I was enroute to Baghdad. The rest is a blur and I can't believe ten years has passed. I think often of the friends and fellow Soldiers that gave their lives. Sometimes I get the question about what Iraq had to do with 9/11. It's a good question and worth discussing because I think it's important for people to understand how we got there politically and strategically. It's not all good news. However, regardless of any debates, I'll tell you that I think every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine that has given his life did so in the name of fighting Terrorism and defending our way of life.

I'm not the wax romantic type but I wanted to do something today and could think of no better thing than flying. With much deliberation I gave up operational flying a couple of years ago and bought an RV when I did. I put "IZ" on the tale as a commemorative touch as "IZ" is the country code that represents Iraq. The flight was even more fitting now that I?m stationed near our nation?s capital. I was amused with some of the discussion going on in some other forums this week about the increased security at the DC area airports and the possibility of TFRs restricting our ability to fly on 9/11. 9/11 changed our lives, but it didn't take away our fundamental freedom. A terrorist's strategic goal is make us live in fear, distrust and question our security to simply go about our lives. We're winning if we don't let that happen. Charlie Sheen has that much right.

As I strapped in my four year old son I was thanking all of those that will never get to see the pure joy on his face as he was getting to go fly with Dad. We spent 30 minutes "making his tummy feel funny". He asked me if he was a good co-pilot. I told him he was the best I've ever had, and those are big shoes to fill.






RIP- Corry, Dennis, Brian, Steve and 4,470 other brave souls.
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  #2  
Old 09-12-2011, 04:26 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Thanks Michael...

...Very well said. A big thank you for your service to our country.

Best,
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RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
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  #3  
Old 09-12-2011, 05:27 AM
Bob Martin's Avatar
Bob Martin Bob Martin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 1,230
Default Very well done!

Michael,
Thanks for expressing your thoughts and actions on 9/11.
I agree 100%. The flight with your son was touching for sure. My two grandsons are 8yrs old now and I love the "tummy feels funny" or "my ears hurt" or "I'm hungry" comments or looking over and seeing their little heads slumped over, held up by the harness. The "Co-pilot" question was very touching for sure!
As I get older and these wonderful Rv's allow us to fly "Missing Man" fly overs, it is easy to remember our fallen heros as well as our passed on flying buddies. Hardly a flight goes by without one of our group mentioning a lost flying buddy.....it is like our own personal memorial in our hearts.
Thanks again for sharing your flight with us and THANK YOU for your service to this free Country of ours.
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Last edited by Bob Martin : 09-12-2011 at 05:36 AM.
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  #4  
Old 09-12-2011, 10:18 AM
pilsberry pilsberry is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 100
Default Excellent post

Michael,
Thanks for sharing and thanks for your service.
Bryan
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  #5  
Old 09-12-2011, 11:50 AM
jfogarty jfogarty is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 119
Default

What a great post, thanks for sharing your story. God Bless You and all the men and women fighting for our freedom.

Jim Fogarty
RV9a buidling
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  #6  
Old 09-12-2011, 12:14 PM
TrutrakTech TrutrakTech is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Springdale, AR
Posts: 547
Default

Thanks for your service. I have the highest regard for military service men and women. Very touching post.


DR: We desperately need a "salute" smilie.
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Last edited by TrutrakTech : 09-13-2011 at 07:35 AM. Reason: Apparently I never learned spelling...
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  #7  
Old 09-12-2011, 08:56 PM
kwpilot kwpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DC Area
Posts: 26
Default

Thanks for the kind words and support guys. One never gets anything less from this group.
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