rotorfan
27th Feb 2001, 10:17
Forwarded from a friend:
"This is worth a read...I think this may put things in perspective as to
where our priorities really are as a nation. Think about it.
Subject: FW: NASCAR and Perspective. - Lest we forget...
On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt died
in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for his family,
friends and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children, one, which was
in the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of what I know has come
from the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and earned everything he had.
This included more than "$41 million in winnings and ten times that from
endorsements and souvenir sales". He had a beautiful home and a private
jet. He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was
inspected and replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is
normally fully funded by the car and team sponsors. Today, there is no TV
station that does not constantly remind us of his tragic end and the radio
already has a song of tribute to this winning driver. Nothing should be
taken away from this man, he was a professional and the best in his
profession. He was in a very dangerous business but the rewards were great.
Two weeks ago seven U.S. Army soldiers died in a training accident when two
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. The
soldiers were all in their twenties, pilots, crewchiefs and infantrymen.
Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty
hours (in the field, deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum
wage. The aircraft they were in were between
15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them in
good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely dangerous
business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only gets worse
when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there
with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets critical. Their
children were mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of who "Daddy" was as
they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom.
I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this simple
test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed
on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one of the seven
soldiers who died in Hawaii two weeks ago.
18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at the
Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven soldiers died training to protect
our freedom. No one can remember their names and most don't even remember
the incident.
...as forwarded to me by a career helo pilot, who's flown in the dark in the
rain, with distances between your blades and Mother Earth being measured in
feet ... a bit sobering if I do say so. Alas, tomorrow we shall continue
the mission and launch to meet the sortie count and the training objectives.
For the record:
The six identified casualties were Maj.Robert L. Olson of Minnesota;Chief
Warrant Officer George P.Perry and Chief Warrant Officer Gregory
I.Montgomery, both of California; Sgt. Thomas E. Barber of Champlin,Minn.;
Specialist Bob D. MacDonald of Alta Loma, Calif.; and Specialist Rafael
Olvera-Rodriguez of El Paso.
Perhaps you could pass on to others..... "
"This is worth a read...I think this may put things in perspective as to
where our priorities really are as a nation. Think about it.
Subject: FW: NASCAR and Perspective. - Lest we forget...
On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt died
in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for his family,
friends and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children, one, which was
in the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of what I know has come
from the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and earned everything he had.
This included more than "$41 million in winnings and ten times that from
endorsements and souvenir sales". He had a beautiful home and a private
jet. He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was
inspected and replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is
normally fully funded by the car and team sponsors. Today, there is no TV
station that does not constantly remind us of his tragic end and the radio
already has a song of tribute to this winning driver. Nothing should be
taken away from this man, he was a professional and the best in his
profession. He was in a very dangerous business but the rewards were great.
Two weeks ago seven U.S. Army soldiers died in a training accident when two
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. The
soldiers were all in their twenties, pilots, crewchiefs and infantrymen.
Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty
hours (in the field, deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum
wage. The aircraft they were in were between
15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them in
good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely dangerous
business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only gets worse
when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there
with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets critical. Their
children were mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of who "Daddy" was as
they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom.
I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this simple
test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed
on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one of the seven
soldiers who died in Hawaii two weeks ago.
18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at the
Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven soldiers died training to protect
our freedom. No one can remember their names and most don't even remember
the incident.
...as forwarded to me by a career helo pilot, who's flown in the dark in the
rain, with distances between your blades and Mother Earth being measured in
feet ... a bit sobering if I do say so. Alas, tomorrow we shall continue
the mission and launch to meet the sortie count and the training objectives.
For the record:
The six identified casualties were Maj.Robert L. Olson of Minnesota;Chief
Warrant Officer George P.Perry and Chief Warrant Officer Gregory
I.Montgomery, both of California; Sgt. Thomas E. Barber of Champlin,Minn.;
Specialist Bob D. MacDonald of Alta Loma, Calif.; and Specialist Rafael
Olvera-Rodriguez of El Paso.
Perhaps you could pass on to others..... "