Human Interest - HL 349 (2)

 An F-8 Crusader Jet Pilot's Story ... I FELL 15,000 FEET AND LIVED - Flight Journal

It had all started in the brilliant sunlight 20,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean as I nudged my F-8 Crusader jet into position behind the lumbering, deep-bellied refueling plane.

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https://www.flightjournal.com/fell-15000-feet-and-lived-an-f-8-story/

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Some Personal Thoughts from Mark

Over the years I have written a story or two, and ran them in the High Life, about my Dad.  I always felt that his role in WWII as a Night Fighter pilot, with the famed 415^th squadron, would be of interest.  It always was impressive to me.  Moreover, what he accomplished in life after the war, in roles of leadership in our community, at our church, always had my respect and admiration.  But I loved me Dad most because he openly showed his love for us kids and I felt that as his son….. which has powerfully helped shape me as a husband, father and now grandfather.  I always respected and loved him while he lived, and now after his passing I love him even more.  Now why do I tell you this?   Well, because sometimes a son is lucky enough to have a dad like I had and then, as life goes on, has to have that experience of saying goodbye.

Barb and I were up in Michigan caregiving for him when he was particularly low. Things were not going the way that I had wanted as he was slipping away from us. He was holding on with a strong fight, and suffering doing so, when a nurse pulled me aside and told me something I did not want to hear, but needed to.  She said, “He’s waiting for you.”  I replied, “waiting for me, what do you mean?”  She said, “he’s waiting to hear you tell him, things will be ok with Mom, and the house, and it’s OK for him to go.”  I was the only child of theirs with them at the time and I sort of looked around as if someone else could do this job, cuz surely I’m not strong enough to do what she suggests.  Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, but after some contemplation, I came to the belief that she was right. My Dad was fighting to live, but the body was failing, yet he needed to know that his wife, kids and grandkids will all be ok.  AND that because of the faith that he modeled to all of us, we all would continue with our hope, as we all believe that there will be a time when we are all reunited in the life beyond.

Its been a few years now since 2015, and you would think that I wouldn’t sound like it was so fresh.  So what brought this to my mind in such a powerful way?  Well….. Monsters!  To be precise, it is a song written by James Blunt, entitled “Monsters.”  He wrote this as an ode to having lost his father, and sang it with an American Idol contestant, who lost his father just a few months ago.   And when I heard it and saw the lyics, it simply destroyed me.  We miss most those who loved us the most.  And not to be a downer, but it is powerful to occasionally be reminded about what we have received and what we are thankful for.  As I gave what I could to my Dad in his last moments, I shared very personal and strong words with him and organized, for all the family who wanted to, to share their love via speaker phone.  His eyelids were closed but he nodded as each loving encouraging word came to him.   Just a few short hours after this amazing life event, he breathed his last and slipped away.

The link below sharing this “Monsters” song brings back some very private and deep feelings and my ongoing hope is that somehow in the end I would have lived out my life with my family and my circle of friends in such a way as to be half the man my Dad was. 

Listen to this performance:  https://youtu.be/M9hdHDXyo-8

 

Monsters lyrics by James Blunt:

Oh, before they turn off all the lights

I won't read you your wrongs or your rights

The time has gone

I'll tell you goodnight, close the door

Tell you I love you once more

The time has gone

So here it is

I'm not your son, you're not my father

We're just two grown men saying goodbye

No need to forgive, no need to forget

I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you're sleeping, I'll try to make you proud

So daddy, won't you just close your eyes?

Don't be afraid, it's my turn

To chase the monsters away

Oh, well I'll read a story to you

Only difference is this one is true

The time has gone

I folded your clothes on the chair

I hope you sleep well, don't be scared

The time has gone

So here it is

I'm not your son, you're not my father

We're just two grown men saying goodbye

No need to forgive, no need to forget

I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you're sleeping, I'll try to make you proud

So daddy, won't you just close your eyes?

Don't be afraid, it's my turn

To chase the monsters away

Sleep a lifetime

Yes, and breathe a last word

You can feel my hand on your own

I will be the last one, so I'll leave a light on

Let there be no darkness in your heart

But I'm not your son, you're not my father

We're just two grown men saying goodbye

No need to forgive, no need to forget

I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you're sleeping, I'll try to make you proud

So daddy, won't you just close your eyes?

Don't be afraid, it's my turn

To chase the monsters away

James Blunt original video of Monsters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFbGcnl0po

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