March 22, 2021
March 22, 2021
I met Ciff while he was on his cross country flight, Oceanside to Soboba a few years ago, as he was flying by my my area in Winchester I spotted Cliff and 2 others flying threw the sky . In wonder I followed for quite a while in my truck till they finally landed in Soboba , In amazement I had to ask who are you guys and where do you come from. I had recently taught my self how to fly a PPG quad and didn't know any flying buddies in my area that I was flying with at the time. Wow I had met Reginal and Cliff and in my mind found new role models that had entered my neighborhood. I was amazed when the video came out and saw the groups whole flight.
As God directs my paths later I would by providence I would meet Cliff and many new friends at the Salton Sea and Glamis.
As time went on I found my self camping in the same group that Cliff was with one fall before Thanks Giving , there were so many great people there that I met that I would come to know as a few short years rolled by, Cliff said to me after I was tagging along for a short flight , that I was welcome to fly with him anytime. Cliff had a way of making me feel like family and always had a smile and time for a compliment in his conversation.
2020 was first year at the circus in Arizona, a friend had talked me into giving up on the A assist to launch and after 2 failed launch and a prop going into my cage I decided there was too much to see and too much drama for me trying to get off the ground, again I found myself camped about 30 feet from Cliffs truck and as we talked a little that week end He advised me to stick with what works for me and shortly after I returned I went back to my old style of launching.
2021 I was so happy to get to the circus 2 days before it opened and got to help out a little .
It was great to see old friends and faces pull in to the camp site thurs and friday, again Cliffs truck was parked not to faraway from me and I always enjoyed his conversation . friday was windy and I took a nap like the old guy I turned into , I was standing by the the hanger and saw a glider go down and hit hard as the crowd gathered they asked people to back away and i asked who the pilot was and nobody around me knew I was praying for the pilot and his family and turned in early that night , the next morning i learned my friend didn't make it .
the night before I heard Cliff's name but I didn't give it a thought that one of my mentors ,heros had fallen. I just went to bed after a bad day.
Thank you for the invitation to the memorial my name is on a propeller, and at the service I learned to know Cliff was a even grater man than I realized and for sure I know we are brothers in the air and in Christ and we will meet again soon.
I hope this brings to you who read this a little peace ,Cliff"s picture is on my wall with others I am looking forward to seeing again and Cliff will never be forgotten. Peace and Grace to you all in Christ.
As God directs my paths later I would by providence I would meet Cliff and many new friends at the Salton Sea and Glamis.
As time went on I found my self camping in the same group that Cliff was with one fall before Thanks Giving , there were so many great people there that I met that I would come to know as a few short years rolled by, Cliff said to me after I was tagging along for a short flight , that I was welcome to fly with him anytime. Cliff had a way of making me feel like family and always had a smile and time for a compliment in his conversation.
2020 was first year at the circus in Arizona, a friend had talked me into giving up on the A assist to launch and after 2 failed launch and a prop going into my cage I decided there was too much to see and too much drama for me trying to get off the ground, again I found myself camped about 30 feet from Cliffs truck and as we talked a little that week end He advised me to stick with what works for me and shortly after I returned I went back to my old style of launching.
2021 I was so happy to get to the circus 2 days before it opened and got to help out a little .
It was great to see old friends and faces pull in to the camp site thurs and friday, again Cliffs truck was parked not to faraway from me and I always enjoyed his conversation . friday was windy and I took a nap like the old guy I turned into , I was standing by the the hanger and saw a glider go down and hit hard as the crowd gathered they asked people to back away and i asked who the pilot was and nobody around me knew I was praying for the pilot and his family and turned in early that night , the next morning i learned my friend didn't make it .
the night before I heard Cliff's name but I didn't give it a thought that one of my mentors ,heros had fallen. I just went to bed after a bad day.
Thank you for the invitation to the memorial my name is on a propeller, and at the service I learned to know Cliff was a even grater man than I realized and for sure I know we are brothers in the air and in Christ and we will meet again soon.
I hope this brings to you who read this a little peace ,Cliff"s picture is on my wall with others I am looking forward to seeing again and Cliff will never be forgotten. Peace and Grace to you all in Christ.