All,
As a long-time member of this community that has largely been a lurker, I’ve debated the appropriateness of sharing my thoughts with the community at large. The last thing I would ever want to do is step in somewhere or in some way that ended up being perceived as less than respectful. It is my sincere hope that all who read the following will recognize it for what it is…the thoughts of someone who is passionate about aviation and has unending respect for all who promote it, including every single one of you.
First, for Wayne, my heartfelt thanks. This is your community and you are at once owner and mayor. Far too often it rests on your shoulders to make important decisions and to try and tend to your “herd”. I suspect the last few days have been much tougher on you than you have let on. Not only are you shocked and greiving like all of us, but you also have had to make decisions around what to do with your community and how to help us heal.
I know you have debated about what was/is/will be the right thing to do. Up vs down. Let it roll vs moderate. The simple words from a simple man (me) are this…do not worry about what is “right” for everyone. What you have chosen to do with your community to this point and what you will choose to do in the future need only to be right for YOU. Having quietly watched you lead this community for several years now, your decisions reflect who you are and that is a very good thing.
It has been our pleasure to come play in your playground and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the strength and passion to have carried this community so far. But you are human too. If you need your own time to heal, take it. If you need something from us, ask for it. I promise you, with the seeds you have sown the line to help will be long and ready.
I originally had a piece here that spoke to the community’s discussion of the crash. Given the most recent trend to quiet that discussion, it seemed prudent to remove the longer language and simply say that I agree that it was good for folks to talk it out a bit. However, the time has come to let the experts do their job and for us to heal as a group and grow strong again to support the NCAR/RARA when the time comes.
For me, the first step occurred today when I mailed the renewal of my family membership in RARA.
Lastly…heros.
Jimmy Leeward is a hero of mine today. He was also a hero last Friday before he ever stepped into the miracle that was the Galloping Ghost. He is a hero just as the Sanders are. Just as the Hintons. And Tiger. And John. And Heather. And Rod. And Stu. And Will. And Kevin. And Jon. And Wayne. And all of the others who support our beloved sport – in the past, today or in the future. They are all my heros for multiple reasons. They seek excellence. They push to the next level. They bleed aviation and flight. And there is one more thing…
Every last one of the pilots that slips the bonds of earth, does so with one small little item tucked into the recesses of their brains. That if, heaven forbid, the choice was between them being hurt or even the possibility of one of us being harmed, there was never a question as to the outcome. So, on what had been a glorious Friday afternoon up until that point…
Jimmy Leeward was a hero. Whether he was conscious and flying his aircraft or suffering from GLOC matters not. We all know that, if conscious, he would be doing all he could to protect his family, friends, and fans first. Maybe it helps some of us to heal to think he actively made a terrible tradgedy less so. Maybe it helps those who were in harm’s way but escaped to feel it was Jimmy and not fate that spared them further harm. I have tremendous respect for both beliefs. I truly do. And I fully support those that choose to believe that he was actively a hero one more time.
But as for me….I prefer to hope for Jimmy that he was not aware of the imminent harm to those he cared so much about. Instead, I wish for him the joy and thrill of a last moment of just having passed a Bear and setting his sights on some Black Magic and a Witch.
He was indeed laying down his second Ace...
The smile had to be so big that Stu could see it as he passed by.
In memory of the Ghost and its hero pilot.
James
As a long-time member of this community that has largely been a lurker, I’ve debated the appropriateness of sharing my thoughts with the community at large. The last thing I would ever want to do is step in somewhere or in some way that ended up being perceived as less than respectful. It is my sincere hope that all who read the following will recognize it for what it is…the thoughts of someone who is passionate about aviation and has unending respect for all who promote it, including every single one of you.
First, for Wayne, my heartfelt thanks. This is your community and you are at once owner and mayor. Far too often it rests on your shoulders to make important decisions and to try and tend to your “herd”. I suspect the last few days have been much tougher on you than you have let on. Not only are you shocked and greiving like all of us, but you also have had to make decisions around what to do with your community and how to help us heal.
I know you have debated about what was/is/will be the right thing to do. Up vs down. Let it roll vs moderate. The simple words from a simple man (me) are this…do not worry about what is “right” for everyone. What you have chosen to do with your community to this point and what you will choose to do in the future need only to be right for YOU. Having quietly watched you lead this community for several years now, your decisions reflect who you are and that is a very good thing.
It has been our pleasure to come play in your playground and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the strength and passion to have carried this community so far. But you are human too. If you need your own time to heal, take it. If you need something from us, ask for it. I promise you, with the seeds you have sown the line to help will be long and ready.
I originally had a piece here that spoke to the community’s discussion of the crash. Given the most recent trend to quiet that discussion, it seemed prudent to remove the longer language and simply say that I agree that it was good for folks to talk it out a bit. However, the time has come to let the experts do their job and for us to heal as a group and grow strong again to support the NCAR/RARA when the time comes.
For me, the first step occurred today when I mailed the renewal of my family membership in RARA.
Lastly…heros.
Jimmy Leeward is a hero of mine today. He was also a hero last Friday before he ever stepped into the miracle that was the Galloping Ghost. He is a hero just as the Sanders are. Just as the Hintons. And Tiger. And John. And Heather. And Rod. And Stu. And Will. And Kevin. And Jon. And Wayne. And all of the others who support our beloved sport – in the past, today or in the future. They are all my heros for multiple reasons. They seek excellence. They push to the next level. They bleed aviation and flight. And there is one more thing…
Every last one of the pilots that slips the bonds of earth, does so with one small little item tucked into the recesses of their brains. That if, heaven forbid, the choice was between them being hurt or even the possibility of one of us being harmed, there was never a question as to the outcome. So, on what had been a glorious Friday afternoon up until that point…
Jimmy Leeward was a hero. Whether he was conscious and flying his aircraft or suffering from GLOC matters not. We all know that, if conscious, he would be doing all he could to protect his family, friends, and fans first. Maybe it helps some of us to heal to think he actively made a terrible tradgedy less so. Maybe it helps those who were in harm’s way but escaped to feel it was Jimmy and not fate that spared them further harm. I have tremendous respect for both beliefs. I truly do. And I fully support those that choose to believe that he was actively a hero one more time.
But as for me….I prefer to hope for Jimmy that he was not aware of the imminent harm to those he cared so much about. Instead, I wish for him the joy and thrill of a last moment of just having passed a Bear and setting his sights on some Black Magic and a Witch.
He was indeed laying down his second Ace...
The smile had to be so big that Stu could see it as he passed by.
In memory of the Ghost and its hero pilot.
James
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