THE FIGHTER PILOT

Say what you will about him: arrogant, cocky, boisterous and a fun loving fool to boot. He has earned his place in the sun. Across the span of fifty years he has given his country some of its proudest moments and most cherished military traditions.

But fame is short lived and little the world remembers. Almost forgotten are the 1400 fighter pilots who stood alone against the might of Hitler's Germany during the dark summer of 1940--- and in the words of Sir Winston Churchill gave England "Its Finest Hour." Gone from the hardstands of Duxford are the 51's with their checkerboard noses that terrorized the finest fighter squadrons the Luftwaffe had. Dimly remembered--the 4th Fighter Group that gave Americans some of their proud moments in the skies over Korea.

How fresh in recall are the Air Commandos who valiantly struck the VC in their aging "Skyraiders" in the rain-and-blood-soaked valley called A Shau? And how long will be remembered the "Thuds" and "Wolf Pack F-4's" over "Route Pack Six" and the flak-filled skies above Hanoi?

So here's a "Nickel on the Grass" to you, my friend, for your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice, and courage -- but most of all to your friendship.

Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone the world will be a lesser place.