SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

A Personal Note...

4304 views
28 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2005
A Personal Note...
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 3:35 AM

Let me begin by saying that what I'm about to write has really nothing to do with modeling.  It does involve helicopters but more in the sense of what they did and the role they played in a very personal ceremony for me and my family.  So if you're a modeling purist who often comments "what's this got to do with modeling" don't read any further.  If on the other hand you are or ever were in the military, or simply have a strong sense of honor, then please read on.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my father had passed away after a three year battle with advanced Parkinsons and a brain tumor.  This was the most traumatic moment in my life, and I'm saying this after having built a career in the military dealing with traumatic experiences.  Anyway, my father served for 32+ years in the USAF and went from slick sleeve Airman to MSgt, then went "bootstrap", got a commission and finally retired as a Lt Colonel.  I learned a lot about leadership, honor, integrity and service from him.  I also learned about compassion, family, work ethic and morality.  So even though we (my unit) were fully ramped up involved in a major Joint DOD exercise doing SOF Infil/Exfil, CSAR, DLQ's you name it, I still asked my unit if they could do a fly-by for my dad's funeral.....

Fast forward to the day of the funeral (15 June).  Everything was running late.  We finally departed the funeral home and while the procession of 14 vehicles meandered it's way through downtown Anchorage Alaska, folks were cutting in and out, nobody stopped or really showed respect, basically what you would expect.  But as soon as we drove on to Ft. Richardson, we were immediately given a full escort through the base and on towards the national cemetary on the back side of the base.  Throughout this trip, EVERY vehicle stopped and EVERY troop walking down the sidewalk (in or out of uniform) stopped, came to attention and presented arms.  As we turned into the cemetary (I was 2nd in line behind the hearse) the MP escorts who were blocking off traffic jumped out of their vehicles and presented arms.......That my friends is when I first lost it and got choked up.  I guess I was just filled with so much pride for not only my father and what he had accomplished, but for my brothers in arms and how much honor and respect they gave to one of their fallen, even though they had no idea of his name, rank or service.  I felt proud to be wearing my service dress uniform.  I felt part of a family....part of a band of brothers.

As we pulled in behind the hearse when it stopped at the gazebo where the ceremony was to take place, the honor guard came to full attention and carried out their duties in one of the most professional displays I have ever seen.  Understand that these troops do this as a volunteer activity in addition to their normal duties.  I was again filled with pride, along with the sadness of losing my father.  I should also tell you that it was POURING rain.  My sisters and I remarked that it was dad's way of having the last laugh on all of us.  The other thing I noticed is that while we had announced that the ceremony was to be a close knit affair with family and friends of my father, there was a huge crowd already formed standing in the rain.  Everyone from former colleagues (civilian and military) ranging in stature from the Mayor and commanding General to Airmen, NCOs and folks who worked with and for my father.  They were all there standing in the soaking rain.

Now as we were gathered there silently watching as the honor guard tightly snapped and folded the flag over my father's casket, I was thinking "well, the boys at the Squadron must have had a mechanical, or got called off on a real-world SAR mission".  But then I heard that sound....the sound that anybody who's ever worked around a -60 has heard a thousand times.  As I stood there I whispered to my mother who was sitting at my side "Here they come mom".  It started off as a low rumble off in the distance, and grew and grew until a formation of HH-60G's blasted in from the South at treetop level, on the deck screaming in.  Every head turned as they came in and every umbrella dropped as folks temporarily forgot about the beating downpour.  As the ground was shaking and the wind swirled, number two in the formation pulled the nose up, banked hard over 90 degrees and tore off at treetop level to produce a missing man formation....all off this right over our heads.  That's when I shook my fist in a pride filled "YEAH" feeling so much pride that the guys were able to pull it off and do the fly-by.  I lost it once again.  As soon as they had blasted in, they were gone.  Peeling away until they were just a low rumble in the distance.  The rest of the ceremony was very touching and moving with folks coming forward to tell stories of times shared with my father.  The chaplain read a letter I had written to my father after he had passed.  The firing party fired their volley and taps played.  My mother was peresented the flag on the behalf of the President and a grateful nation, and everyone slowly departed to their homes to continue with their lives. 

It wasn't until several days later when I learned that lead was being flown by one of my best friends.  He told me that his bird had developed a bad fuel leak from the probe tip, and that if not for some kick *** work done by the maintenance folks at our base, the fly-by would have never happened.  He also told me that they were supposed to divert on a real-world SAR mission to search for an ELT, but they told the CP "Jolly 21 flight is gonna be unavailable for the next 15 mikes" so that they could do the fly-by.  The FE on lead was also a good friend as well as the pilot of number two.

So why did I tell all of you here at the helicopter section of the Finescale Forums this story?  I guess because I have come to look upon all of you as my extended modeling family.  A family that have many of the same beliefs that I have concerning honor and respect, regardless of one's politics or nationalities.

Maybe that's why I go out of my way to participate so much in the forums.  Some day I hope to meet each and every one of you.  

Once again, sorry for writing such a long post and I hope those who are modeling forum purists will understand and not be put out.  

Salbando

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by RotorRob60 on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 4:28 AM
Amen! Sorry for your loss. I share your sense of pride, honor, respect, duty, dignity, and brotherhood.
Air Assault! From a veteran of 4/101 AVN REGT
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa
Posted by LemonJello on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 5:12 AM

Sal,

Awesome...just awesome

It got a little "dusty" here while I was reading your post. 

Semper Fi!

A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Southport, North West UK
Posted by richgb on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:43 AM

I've never served in the military but have worked in the emergency services here in the UK as a Paramedic for the past 14 years. You must be very proud and touched by what happened and it must have been a great mark of respect not only for your father but for you and your family and made you all feel very proud. Your story was very touching and moving. Thanks for sharing it with us and showing that honour, respect and integrity still exists.

Take care,   Rich

...this is it folks...over the top!
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Maryland
Posted by Chief Snake on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:57 AM
The Band of Brothers extends across service lines, branches of service and continents. A salute of farewell to your father.

Chief

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 8:08 AM
What a wonderful and touching story. I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that so many people were there to show love, respect, and to honor your father and your family.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Regards,

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Newnan, GA
Posted by J.H. Primm on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 9:03 AM

I know how you feel, I went through it when my father was buried at Arlington in '99.

 No matter how tough you think you are, there is something about a military funeral and the playing of Taps that gets to everyone. 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Maryland
Posted by Par429 on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 10:40 AM

Sal-

  A very moving story, thanks for sharing it. 

Best Regards,

Phil

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 11:19 AM
Yes, a very moving story. Thanks for letting us share that with you!

So long folks!

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Canberra,Australia
Posted by death on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:48 PM

First of all mate let me say I'm sorry for your loss.I count everyday that I have my parents with me as a blessing.

Second that account brought a tear to my eye.I had the honour of bringing some mates back to Australian soil who were killed in the Bandeh Aceh Sea King crash last year.As a former maintainer on the squadron who knew some the guys who lost their lives(I'm still in but not at the squadron) it was a moment of immense pride and heartfelt sorrow carrying those caskets of the Herc.

We are all a 'band of brothers' as you so eloquently put it, here to do to a job nobody wants us to have to do but knowing it is necessary.I've lost some mates in accidents,doing what they loved to do,and doing it for others as well.May they all rest in peace.

Yours

Mick

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: DSM, Iowa
Posted by viper_mp on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:55 PM
My deepest condolences on your loss.  I've recently attended the funerals of some of my fellow soldiers from Iowa and as previously state, it is a somber even.  From myself, and all the members of the 109th Air Assault "Gryphons" and the 186th Military Police, we salute your father and his service to our country. 


Rob Folden

Secretary / Webmaster- IPMS Plastic Surgeons Member at Large-IPMS Hawkeye Modelers

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 9:31 PM
Thanks for sharing, Sal, best to you and your family, was a very moving story
  • Member since
    May 2006
Posted by MortarMagnet on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 9:44 PM
It's not too often that I get teary on the internet, but...


My condolences.  I've never served, but I honor and respect those that have/do.  You are willing to go and do what most are too selfish or scared to do.
Brian
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 10:03 PM

Thanks for sharing that Sal.  Its funny, as I was reading that, a Hawk on final into Lowe just went over! 

I'm sure we'll bump into one another someday.  First round's on me.

Jon

"1-6 is in hot"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:00 AM

             Sal,

         Thanks for sharing a tribute to a special man, your father, may he rest in peace. I am an Air Force brat who went Navy and my wife is a former woman Marine. I buried my father at Fort Rosecrans in San Diego back in 85, he retired as MSgt in 66. Thanks again for sharing a moving tribute!

Robert

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 6:02 PM

A sincere thanks to all.  You replies reinforce what I already knew about you all.....basically just a great group of friends.....brothers one and all.

I passed you comments on to mom and she was touched by your condolences.  Thanks again.

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Thursday, June 29, 2006 10:55 AM

Sal,

Sorry to hear of the loss of your father.  Thanks for sharing a very special and private memory with us.  Thank you for your family's service to our country. 

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Waukesha, WI
Posted by David Voss on Thursday, June 29, 2006 12:14 PM
 J.H. Primm wrote:
I know how you feel, I went through it when my father was buried at Arlington in '99.

 No matter how tough you think you are, there is something about a military funeral and the playing of Taps that gets to everyone.

Agreed.  I've attended a few military funerals over the years ranging from members of my unit to being part of an honor guard.  Each time, hearing taps brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat.  Speaking of Arlington, has anyone heard the Trace Adkins song titled Arlington?

Reading about how everything was conducted, the honor and respect shown to your father, that's something I really miss about the military.  That's great they were able to do the flyby.  That must have been awesome.  Sounds like everyone did their part in showing the honor and respect your father and family deserved.

Thank you, Salbando, for sharing.

/salute

David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 29, 2006 12:18 PM
Sal, my sincerest condolences for your loss. From the way you've described him, your father must have been a great American, a great father, and a great man. To have a son who followed in his footsteps in the service of our nation was undoubtedly a great source of pride for your dad. In these forums, and in this community, you will find people who will appreciate not only the respect shown to your dad and your family at your dad's funeral, but also admiration for people like yourself and your father for putting your life on the line so that people like me can enjoy the freedoms of this great nation. Your father did very well in life, and I'm sure he's enjoying his reward in paradise. May he rest in peace.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 29, 2006 5:13 PM

Sal,  I'm sorry to hear of your loss!  He will be missed! 

I'm retired Navy and I've been to what seems too many funerals.  Taps still gets me. 

Other than my best friends funeral the hardest ones were onboard the ship!  It fills me with pride knowing the

way your father and family were honored!!!

  • Member since
    May 2015
Posted by willuride on Thursday, June 29, 2006 6:36 PM

What a story, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

 

You are right, you are part of the finest Air Force in the world and the best Armed Forces personnel anywhere.  I am glad you are proud of the military folks and the respect they paid.  I agree wholly with you on our military service folks around the world.  My respect is with you and your father.

 

Jeff Appleba

On the bench Knoxville, TN:

1/48 Monogram F-4 Phantom "Black Bunny"  I wanted to relive the past....Never again

On the Bench Manchester, TN:

1/48 Revell F-18E 

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Moooooon River!
Posted by Trigger on Friday, June 30, 2006 10:58 AM
Sal

Thank you for sharing that with us. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss and I'm glad your father got the respect he earned. The actions of your unit as well as the behavior of the men and women at Ft. Richardson are simply awe-inspiring.

------------------------------------------------------------------ - Grant "Can't let that nest in there..."
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)
Posted by m60a3 on Friday, June 30, 2006 8:32 PM
 Thanks sooo much for sharing that with us. I feel honored to have been included in even such a small way. Your Dad sounds like  he was a great man. I salute him.
 Now, would you pass the kleenex?
 I will always be close to my Bothers in Arms, even the ones I never got to meet.


                                                                                     -60
"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Ft. Bragg, NC
Posted by adrake2 on Friday, June 30, 2006 11:51 PM

Thank you for sharing. I am sorry for your loss and I am glad that your father was given the respect he deserved by everyone coming together, whether in uniform or not, to pay their respects to a fallen brother in arms. It is good to hear these kind of stories so that we are reminded that the roots of this brotherhood extend deep and wide amoung servicemen of all nations. Only in the profession of arms and the profession of saving life are such bonds so prevailant.

I feel I should explain my long absence from the forums. I left the US Army ROTC and dropped out of college last summer to enlist in the army. I finally took my oath on 22 Nov 2005. I attended One Station Unit Training (basic training and infantry advanced individual training in one course) at Ft. Benning, GA where I graduated 3 March 2006. I went on to Airborne School and then to Ft. Bragg for SFAS, which I just completed Thursday. I was fortunate enough to get selected, so I have a long road of training in front of me. I promise to post pics of some interesting stuff if they let me, but they tend to frown upon cameras. Sal, thank you for sharing once again. Personally, the story gave me a bit of motivation to keep my head up and finish what I came here to do. I will keep your family in my prayers.

-Aaron
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)
Posted by m60a3 on Saturday, July 1, 2006 12:48 AM
 Best of luck to you, adrake2!!
"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 2, 2006 2:01 AM

Once again to all those who have responded with kind words of consolation, support and above all honor.....my sincere thanks.  It truly is comforting to know that the concepts of duty, honor, country, respect and family are alive and well.  Especially during this time of global conflict where such concepts and beliefs seem to be long forgotten. 

You've recharged my soul and my faith in these beliefs which I hold so dear to my being, and I make that comment without reservation and with sincere meaning.

adrake2...drive on brother, all the way and then some.  Your patriotism and determination are truly motivational.  Keep your face into the wind and your eyes on that horizon...you're almost there.  Let us all know when you get to an ODA so we can celebrate with ya. 

Again....thanks to all of you.

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Georgia
Posted by Screaminhelo on Thursday, July 6, 2006 2:07 PM

I just saw your post Sal.  Military funerals are truly awe inspiring occaisons for me.  At no other time do  I feel more connected to my comrades in arms.  I am one of those who shed a tear while reading your narative and I loved every minute of it.  My condolences to you and your family.

Mac

Mac

I Didn't do it!!!

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Rowland Heights, California
Posted by Duke Maddog on Sunday, July 9, 2006 3:51 PM
Sal, I too just saw thisand I apologize for bringin this up late. I am sorry for your loss, yet pleased to know that he was treated with such dignity and respect for his service. I too cried at the mention of the flyby and the respect shown by all on base. I am always thrilled to see that kind of respect and honor devoted to a great person. And your father truly was a great man.

May he rest in peace, and may you always know how grateful I am to you and your father for both of your service.
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Georgia
Posted by Screaminhelo on Monday, July 10, 2006 7:18 AM

I was just reminded of how many servicemembers today don't seem to have the respect that I believe they should, but when they see one of their own making one last trip through my hope is renewed.  To see them stopped and lined up on the streets paying their respects to one that they know nothing more about than they served fills me with pride.  Thank you again for sharing Sal.  You have done at least one soldier alot of good!

Mac

Mac

I Didn't do it!!!

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.