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Howard had never seen a drone up close before...
738 8 2017-1-26
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Hoomi
Second Officer
Flight distance : 231394 ft
United States
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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.
Howard.jpg
2017-1-26
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RedHotPoker
Captain
Flight distance : 165105 ft
Canada
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Cool story. Great of you, to be a positive ambassador, for our drone community... Thanks.

Buy a copy of the Pearl Harbor movie?  It's pretty awesome.


RedHotPoker
2017-1-26
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DJI-Jamie
DJI team
Flight distance : 112405 ft
United States
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It's a lovely story, thank you for sharing. I had some family in WWII myself that I had the opportunity to chat with them about it, most of them ended up fighting in Europe.
2017-1-27
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Palladous
lvl.4
Flight distance : 102185 ft
United States
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The Howards of this world really were the "greatest generation"!  My dad was in the Army Air Corps (before it was called the Air Force) and my father-in-law was a Navy diver.  My dad came from a family of nine kids, eight of them were in the service, 6 were overseas at one time.  All of us here in the US will owe them forever.  
2017-1-27
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Thermographer
First Officer
Flight distance : 1417362 ft
United States
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Awesome story
2017-1-27
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KM5RG-Robert
Captain
Flight distance : 2075213 ft
United States
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Palladous Posted at 2017-1-27 04:30
The Howards of this world really were the "greatest generation"!  My dad was in the Army Air Corps (before it was called the Air Force) and my father-in-law was a Navy diver.  My dad came from a family of nine kids, eight of them were in the service, 6 were overseas at one time.  All of us here in the US will owe them forever.

My Grandfather served in the Army Air Corp in North Africa. Never was able to spend much time with him unfortunately.  
2017-1-27
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Baddpuppy
New

United States
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Very nice story. Thank you for sharing!
2017-1-27
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Baddpuppy
New

United States
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My grandpa was in WWll but he would not talk about it with anyone because it brought back to many bad memories.  He has gone to heaven now and I still wonder what he must have gone thru.  I miss you papaw!
2017-1-27
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Augustus Brian
Second Officer
Flight distance : 397592 ft
United States
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Baddpuppy Posted at 2017-1-27 07:33
My grandpa was in WWll but he would not talk about it with anyone because it brought back to many bad memories.  He has gone to heaven now and I still wonder what he must have gone thru.  I miss you papaw!

Baddpuppy:

My father was an Air Force Pilot during WWII.

He once flew under a suspension bridge in Ohio, when his first-born (my oldest brother) was born. He received a light slap on the wrist from his commanding officer (who was brandishing the customary gift of a new cigar) for doing it, an act that would have generated drastic disciplinary charges nowadays. After the war, he flew Pipers and Cessnas for fun.

He would likely have loved flying contemporary model aircraft and would have been fascinated with quads.

He and Howard would likely have gotten along quite well.

Keep Smiling,

Augustus
2017-1-27
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