Sunday, March 6, 2016

Four Years Later

Lex (Source)
I still remember the morning I received the news of an aircraft going in at NAS Fallon, in Nevada. Every time I hear of a jet going down, I take a deep breath and wonder, "Do I know who it is? Did they make it out?"

That morning the answers were yes, and no.

Captain Carroll F. LeFon, Jr., U.S. Navy (retired) was the pilot that day.

I had been avidly following his blog for a while. It was part of my daily routine.

We'd swapped emails once, he was a man of honor. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in this life.

Those of us who knew him have gathered every year since that bitter day in March of 2012 at one of his favorite watering holes in Sandy Eggo, Shakespeare's. There we hoist a pint (or three), perhaps indulge in a wee bit o' Jameson's Irish whiskey, and talk. We're like an extended family, a happy band of brothers and sisters, remembering the man who brought us together through his words. 

Last year's gathering.

While I won't be there this year, I will have a Guinness at the appropriate time and make a toast to Lex...

"For strength"

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.
Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
George S. Patton



Be seeing you Lex...





14 comments:

  1. They're still flying Kfirs out of Langley--and the approach is right over my shooting range. I always think of Lex as they break overhead. Guinness indeed.

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  2. The last picture of him on the carrier. I remember when he posted about the arrangements to take a group of bloggers on the carrier. What an experience it was for the bloggers -landing & take off on a carrier, being with Lex, experiencing (to the extent they could in that short a time) carrier life. Unanimously positive experience from the bloggers. I believe that was also the trip where there was a great photograph of Lex on the stern of the ship just looking out on the sea. Had to be somewhat bittersweet for him.

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    1. I know the picture of which you speak. He was facing into the wind, arms spread like wings...

      I'll post it over at Facebook.

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  3. Lex, looking forward to swapping war stories with you over a Guinness. Just not real soon, please.

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  4. In the photo where he is holding the camera, he is smirking like a Smirkasaurus. I like that!

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  5. It is hard to believe it has been four years. I read his blog as fervently as I read my Bible. I did have tears on that day. Lex was an incredible inspiration to me, as I know he was to you.
    I am glad you decided to honor him with your blog. I am glad I found your blog shortly after his passing. I follow all of you and enjoy your stories and anecdotes from the past. Keep it coming.
    A Guinness and a few Jameson's for all of you, but one especially for Lex.
    Sometimes one does not know that what they write has a great effect on others that read their words. Take that and what Lex has given us, and keep on rolling.

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  6. Replies
    1. In due time, for everything there is a season.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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