This week I lost two friends.

They died tragically, albeit doing what they loved to do, flying.

Each was a legend in his own right, with over 25,000 flying hours, each (more like 28,000 each, but let’s not argue).

Think of that, 25,000 hours!  OVER 50,000 total!  That’s over 2,000 days of flying (24 hours in a day)  or 6,250 days of flying if you fly 8 hours a day, seven days a week, for 17 years!

What happened?  They made a mistake. Experts and as experienced as they were, they made a simple mistake, and it killed them. Such is the life of a flyboy.  They say that the second greatest thrill is flying.  The first, pilots wink at each other….is Landing.  Tragically, they didn’t make their last landing.

But I don’t wish this to be a sad blog, or a mad blog, or a trite blog, but just a note that says,

“Thank you Dion DeCamp, and Ed Lewis!”  -for your service, your dedication and the examples you set.

Each served with distinction, and each continued to serve by volunteering in the CAP (Civil Air Patrol).

They didn’t have to, they could have gone fishing, or golfing, or anything else. But each dedicated himself to excellence and to the service of their country. And I am in debt to each of them.

They have done what few achieve …they have left this world a better place because of how they lived their lives and because of who they were/HOW they were.

I pray God accept them, and grant their families/friends peace. Know that these were true men of honor and each had a style that will be missed.

God Speed you Dion, God Speed you Ed !