An Air National Guard C-130 Loadmaster died last night. He wasnt in a war zone. He wasnt in an airplane. He was home. He died protecting his wife and daughters from the fury of an Arkansas tornado (they were injured, but survived). In a dangerous career field, you accept the risk that you may leave this earth early. I dont know any loadmaster out there who wouldnt choose a short life spent making a difference and doing a job they love over a long life burdened with hesitation, regret, self interest and fear. But an EF-3 tornado hitting your family at C-130 airdrop speed? And yet, somehow...all I keep feeling behind the grief is a sense of RELIEF. Two little girls will grow up with the legacy and example of a man who took an oath to put service before self, an oath that he lived up to instinctively, even as he took his very last breath. The rest of us will carry the heavy reminder of lifes brevity and uncertainty, and perhaps, a renewed since of urgency to use our gifts and blaze our trails NOW...wherever they lead...no matter how unsafe or scary it seems...in the short time we have here. I bet well do so even more boldly when we wake up tomorrow. No one was ready for you to wrap up your takeoff roll and punch into the clouds beyond, but since you asked...yeah, the Aux Hydraulic Pump pressure is good and youve got a secondary load thumbs up from the back of the plane. Gear Up. Flaps Up After Takeoff Checks. Complete. Load.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:57:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015