October 7, 2021
October 7, 2021
In this vast and complex world, it is easy to lose sight of a single event, no matter how devastating, and so it remains to those who were there, and those who suffered the losses, to honor the memories of those lost, and keep them alive in our hearts. Thank you so much for the work you have done to that end. I was there that day, on sentry duty at the hangar, and I was at the time in charge of the aircraft repairs inventory. As someone else wrote, it's the stuff of nightmares. I remember that for two weeks you could hear a pin drop anywhere in the hangar, everyone was so silent with grief, and also self-examination. Each of us wondered if we might have done anything, no matter how small, some oversight, that contributed to the crash, and the death of our leaders and friends. Frankly, it was possible. Investigators were there looking. In time though it was determined, as others have noted, the cause was a defective piece on the helicopter itself. It was no one's fault. How tragic, that they were coming home, nearly landed, so close to safety. I never spoke to anyone about this day, until recently. Even now it's difficult and parts are blocked out. You can only talk to people who understand. Someone wrote a comment on the aircraft accident report site that meant a lot to me, which I was able to reference from here.
Thank you for offering this site, the updates and opportunity to share comments. I hope Jim, you can know that this is enough. It's everything. You've done well by your friends, and all of us. As for a memorial there at the base, it's tough to stay brave, do what needs to be done, if one is thinking about the risks and consequences. You can't, really. This site, it IS a memorial. As they say, best to you, and "Keep your rotors in the green, friend". - K
Thank you for offering this site, the updates and opportunity to share comments. I hope Jim, you can know that this is enough. It's everything. You've done well by your friends, and all of us. As for a memorial there at the base, it's tough to stay brave, do what needs to be done, if one is thinking about the risks and consequences. You can't, really. This site, it IS a memorial. As they say, best to you, and "Keep your rotors in the green, friend". - K