Tales of An Old Aviator .... The Big Chill
Duke,
Glad to hear that you made it to 2005, you are truly an inspiration. I'm sure that I speak for all on Pprune when I say that I'm looking forward to the next installment of The Life and Times of Duke Elegant with bated breath.
Good luck and a Happy New Year
Low
Glad to hear that you made it to 2005, you are truly an inspiration. I'm sure that I speak for all on Pprune when I say that I'm looking forward to the next installment of The Life and Times of Duke Elegant with bated breath.
Good luck and a Happy New Year
Low
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I ought to be sleeping as I have work in a few hours but ... can't get to sleep so ... thoughts turned to friends and stuff so hope you are doing OK Duke ... and however you are doing, know that its OK to cuss at Creator 
I can only speak for self but I stand with you in your trial .. I am only a proon friend but if it is any comfort, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers
I can only speak for self but I stand with you in your trial .. I am only a proon friend but if it is any comfort, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers
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Hi Duke ... FJJP just said what I have been wondering too ... how are you doing mate? It probably seems a little insensitive to be demanding news, but you do have rather a lot of friends scattered far and wide across the globe who are wishing you every energy and painfree moment ... I would give you a hug but that probably would hurt too much... so accept a virtual one OK?? {{{{{Duke}}}}}
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Thanks for the update SawmillBroad - glad Duke is hanging in there but sad that it is so painful.
You are in my thoughts and prayers Duke.
luv brockie
You are in my thoughts and prayers Duke.
luv brockie
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Dear Duke,
One wants to express how deeply touched one is with the stories you have shared with us and your current plight. Inspite of never having had the honour to meet you, I feel strangely connected to such a flyer and bon vivant pur sang.
A sentence coined by my father that has inspired me throughout many years, through ups and downs, comes to mind, and I would like to share with you, albeit in thought.
To fly, to soar, to leave the lawn in longish leaps.
And long leaps you have taken. Keep enjoying that soaring feeling.
O.
One wants to express how deeply touched one is with the stories you have shared with us and your current plight. Inspite of never having had the honour to meet you, I feel strangely connected to such a flyer and bon vivant pur sang.
A sentence coined by my father that has inspired me throughout many years, through ups and downs, comes to mind, and I would like to share with you, albeit in thought.
To fly, to soar, to leave the lawn in longish leaps.
And long leaps you have taken. Keep enjoying that soaring feeling.
O.
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Saturday February5, 2005
Yesterday, Les was surrounded by his wife Kathy, daughter Anna and Tim, my husband Keith and I, and Les’s very good friend Terry. His daughter Meghan was in Ottawa and spoke to him several times on the phone.
He had already gently slipped into a coma earlier in the day and while asleep was never alone. We talked about Les’ life, how we all came to know him and had a few chuckles. I’m sure he knew we were all there with him. Kathy’s friend Patsy came by and sang a few hymns a capella, one being Amazing Grace. It was just so beautiful and so peaceful.
Les quietly left at 11:15pm with his daughter cradling his head. We are thankful that he is no longer in pain and we will miss him dearly.
Blue skies Duke Elegant, you are a cherished friend.
He had already gently slipped into a coma earlier in the day and while asleep was never alone. We talked about Les’ life, how we all came to know him and had a few chuckles. I’m sure he knew we were all there with him. Kathy’s friend Patsy came by and sang a few hymns a capella, one being Amazing Grace. It was just so beautiful and so peaceful.
Les quietly left at 11:15pm with his daughter cradling his head. We are thankful that he is no longer in pain and we will miss him dearly.
Blue skies Duke Elegant, you are a cherished friend.
I never met Duke.............but feel like I knew him as a friend.
A man obviously blessed with a sense of adventure, a love of fun and a warmth toward all human beings. His inspired prose in the foregoing pages detailed a desire to leave this world at peace with all mankind, and content with the life he had led.
How many of us with leave this world with that same sense of contentment?
Fly high Duke, for there are countless thousands of aviators in this world who have had their lives enriched by your accounts of heaven on earth, and I am sure that there are many of them raising glasses to you.
A man obviously blessed with a sense of adventure, a love of fun and a warmth toward all human beings. His inspired prose in the foregoing pages detailed a desire to leave this world at peace with all mankind, and content with the life he had led.
How many of us with leave this world with that same sense of contentment?
Fly high Duke, for there are countless thousands of aviators in this world who have had their lives enriched by your accounts of heaven on earth, and I am sure that there are many of them raising glasses to you.
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Dear Duke
Am happy that you have slipped the surly, and painful, bonds of earth and know now that you soar on laughter-silvered wings.
May Creator/God bless you - thank you for being an inspiration for so many. I do hope someone will arrange the publication of your "tales" ... the era in which you flew will never come again.
Tonight, like many nights, I have a tealight candle lit in memory of those dear to me and, if it doesn't seem presumptuous, I will include you there.
I kept looking to this thread today as I felt when I woke this morning that you had been taken by Creator to the airfield in the sky ... and as this means that you are now free from pain, I am glad to learn you have passed.
Love and light to your family and friends left behind.
Thank you again for your wonderful stories and for your life.
luv brockie
Am happy that you have slipped the surly, and painful, bonds of earth and know now that you soar on laughter-silvered wings.
May Creator/God bless you - thank you for being an inspiration for so many. I do hope someone will arrange the publication of your "tales" ... the era in which you flew will never come again.
Tonight, like many nights, I have a tealight candle lit in memory of those dear to me and, if it doesn't seem presumptuous, I will include you there.
I kept looking to this thread today as I felt when I woke this morning that you had been taken by Creator to the airfield in the sky ... and as this means that you are now free from pain, I am glad to learn you have passed.
Love and light to your family and friends left behind.
Thank you again for your wonderful stories and for your life.
luv brockie
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RIP Duke
"I would not have you grieve when I am gone,
I have no sorrow that my life is spent,
As happy a man as ever sun shone on,
My life has been a joy, and I'm content.
I have known the glory of an English day,
The soft whisper of rain on grateful trees,
The happy song of birds at break of day,
The drifting wood-smoke on the evening breeze.
No regrets that all these things are fled,
I shall find joy whatever lies ahead."
The above poem was composed in 1943 by Sgt. Maurice Dudley Chasmer, wireless operator - Air Gunner with 434 Squadron RAF.
On the night of 27/28 September 1943, 73 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 9 Wellingtons from 432 Squadron for an attack at Hanover.
P/O O. Lytle RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-917 coded WL-X, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt E. Elder RAF
Sgt H. Lindsay RAF
W/O2 R. Pedlar RCAF
F/Sgt J. Monteith RCAF
Sgt M. Chasmar RAF
F/Sgt H. Hansell RCAF
F/Sgt J. Leach RCAF
I have no sorrow that my life is spent,
As happy a man as ever sun shone on,
My life has been a joy, and I'm content.
I have known the glory of an English day,
The soft whisper of rain on grateful trees,
The happy song of birds at break of day,
The drifting wood-smoke on the evening breeze.
No regrets that all these things are fled,
I shall find joy whatever lies ahead."
The above poem was composed in 1943 by Sgt. Maurice Dudley Chasmer, wireless operator - Air Gunner with 434 Squadron RAF.
On the night of 27/28 September 1943, 73 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 9 Wellingtons from 432 Squadron for an attack at Hanover.
P/O O. Lytle RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-917 coded WL-X, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt E. Elder RAF
Sgt H. Lindsay RAF
W/O2 R. Pedlar RCAF
F/Sgt J. Monteith RCAF
Sgt M. Chasmar RAF
F/Sgt H. Hansell RCAF
F/Sgt J. Leach RCAF
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RIP Duke
For someone I've never met, I feel as if I know Duke well through his amazing accounts of his life in aviation. I never got to posting on his thread, but like chimbu, I'll be raising a glass to a truly heroic gentleman. One hopes that now Duke can rest in peace, free from his pain.
For someone I've never met, I feel as if I know Duke well through his amazing accounts of his life in aviation. I never got to posting on his thread, but like chimbu, I'll be raising a glass to a truly heroic gentleman. One hopes that now Duke can rest in peace, free from his pain.
ECON cruise, LR cruise...
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God bless, Duke!
You will be missed - having enriched & touched so many lives. Even as somebody who just got to see a little bit of your adventures & personality, I feel the loss that have befallen us all.
My thoughts to all those of you who have lost a dear friend or family member.
Go in peace, mate...
Empty.
You will be missed - having enriched & touched so many lives. Even as somebody who just got to see a little bit of your adventures & personality, I feel the loss that have befallen us all.
My thoughts to all those of you who have lost a dear friend or family member.
Go in peace, mate...
Empty.
Duke and family,
Thanks for the privledge of reading your stories. I saw this poem on Gene Whitts(another legend) site: http://www.whittsflying.com
Thought it appropriate
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy can buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade, whose memory is dear;
A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,
Nor a management type would ere be caught dead;
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;
The kind of a place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low.
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before,
And they'd call out your name as you came through the door.
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy,
You had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear;
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here."
"For this is the place where true flyers come,"
"When their journey is over, and the war has been won."
"They've come here at last to be safe and alone"
"From the government clerks and the management drones,"
"Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,"
"Where all hours are happy, and these good ole boys"
"Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest;"
"This is heaven, my son......You've passed your last test!"
Here's to ya, Duke
Thanks for the privledge of reading your stories. I saw this poem on Gene Whitts(another legend) site: http://www.whittsflying.com
Thought it appropriate
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy can buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade, whose memory is dear;
A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,
Nor a management type would ere be caught dead;
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;
The kind of a place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low.
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before,
And they'd call out your name as you came through the door.
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy,
You had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear;
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here."
"For this is the place where true flyers come,"
"When their journey is over, and the war has been won."
"They've come here at last to be safe and alone"
"From the government clerks and the management drones,"
"Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,"
"Where all hours are happy, and these good ole boys"
"Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest;"
"This is heaven, my son......You've passed your last test!"
Here's to ya, Duke
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Godspeed Duke, you'll forever be an inspiration to anyone involved in aviation. Whenever I read your recollections and stories I am always reminded of Ernest K Gann's inspiring autobiography, 'Fate is the Hunter', with one exception - your tales were and are much better in my eyes.
And it seems that fate is still the hunter, but I'm glad you could share your myriad of alternately hilarious, terrifying and sagacious experiences with us right up to the end of your adventure-filled life.
Richard Bandler says that when he dies, he'll have 'To Be Continued...' written on his gravestone. I've no doubt you will live on in all of us - after all, we each share something that few others have experienced... the love of flight.
Thank you Duke, you're cleared for touch and go, winds calms, and have a good one.
Confab
And it seems that fate is still the hunter, but I'm glad you could share your myriad of alternately hilarious, terrifying and sagacious experiences with us right up to the end of your adventure-filled life.
Richard Bandler says that when he dies, he'll have 'To Be Continued...' written on his gravestone. I've no doubt you will live on in all of us - after all, we each share something that few others have experienced... the love of flight.
Thank you Duke, you're cleared for touch and go, winds calms, and have a good one.
Confab
Goodbye Les.
We never met in person, only via the internet, although it turned out we did cross paths a time or two.
My very deepest sympathies to your wife and family and your many friends.
May your alternate never go below minimums.
We never met in person, only via the internet, although it turned out we did cross paths a time or two.
My very deepest sympathies to your wife and family and your many friends.
May your alternate never go below minimums.