Hoomi
Second Officer
Flight distance : 231394 ft
United States
Offline
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I drove out to Tucson Mountain Park after work today, wanting to get some flying time. I parked in the Ironwood Picnic Area, and enjoyed just flying around and getting more practice with the Phantom. Close to the end of my second flight, I was playing around with getting low and close to a mesquite tree, when a car pulled over to the shoulder and started watching. The driver rolled down his window, and started asking some questions. I was happy to answer them, and soon the driver got out to take a closer look.
His name was Howard, and he told me he was 90 years old and had served in the US Navy during WWII, aboard a supply ship in the South Pacific. He and his wife were down from Maine, and he enjoyed photography. As such, he was especially fascinated by the camera tech in the Phantom. Once I had landed, he took a closer look at it, asked some more questions, and told me more about his incredible life.
I've been privileged to know quite a few WWII veterans, including my Father-in-law, who served aboard a Destroyer Escort in the Pacific. Their numbers are rapidly diminishing, and with them, their eyewitness testimonies to history. Our Nation and this world will lose a great treasure when the last of them is laid to rest.
Thank you for stopping, Howard. It was a pleasure and an honor to get to spend a few minutes with you today.
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