There comes a point in time in the life of a human being, given that one may be blessed with a reasonably long period on earth, that memories and recollections of past events become more embedded in the thought processes. The aging process certainly makes for more moments of reflection as the remaining life span expected becomes much shorter than the life already lived. Whether this is good or bad is difficult to judge. Future considerations should be paramount to long ago experiences, but when the length of the future of one’s life is acknowledged to become a shorter and shorter time span, then the dwelling on the past becomes a rather normal course of action.
In the compilation of these epistles or episodes in my lifetime I have simply attempted to reconstruct some events that may prove to be interesting to some. The advancing years, as is generally true for anyone, have detracted from the ability to possess total recall of past happenings. However, the possession of somewhat of a pack rat mentality has enabled me to have many sources of reference. From my military experiences I have retained aircraft flight manuals, course curriculum from a variety of flight schools attended, instructor manuals, my military special order file, and numerous other memory refresher items. In the description of the ejection from the F-86F aircraft in Korea I was aided by a copy of the official accident investigation report. It was rare for an individual to acquire a report of this type, marked Official Special Handling, but some how a copy came into my possession. The orange and white paneled parachute that allowed my safe landing has been retained for many years, but the nylon shroud lines have long since been used for shoe laces for my hunting boots and other worthy uses.
Without attempting to sound melodramatic, I do consider myself a fortunate survivor. I state that because I have attended far too many funerals and memorials for flying contemporaries that have led me to reflect, “There but for the grace of God, go I.” The acronym, KIA, or Killed In Action, could also be used to have the meaning, Killed In an Accident. Although I have had peers lost in combat, more have lost their lives via the accident cause.
The stories that follow are sequenced in the order of their occurrence. I can only affirm that I did my best to relay the events as they happened, and that any embellishment in any manner be unquestioned by the reader.
Dedicated to my wife and sons,
who loved, inspired, and supported me
during multiple moves and locations around the world.
Wings Over Cumberland 