On this day in 2001–New York City is devastated. Again. Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Wikipedia, History.com, “The Aviators” by Winston Croom We aviation enthusiasts celebrate aviation. I would argue we do this, rightfully so. The invention of man breaking the chains that shackled him to earth has been a force for good, right?…
Eddie Rickenbacker…One More Time on His “Anniversary” Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Max Lucado, “In the Eye of the Storm”, (pp. 21, 225-226), History.net Happy 249th Birthday to my fellow Marines out there and best wishes for a memorable Veteran’s Day, today, to all the veterans who so selflessly serve and served. An end of…
This Day in Aviation History–Election Edition. Eddie had it worse. Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Historynet.com This is the 2024 “election edition” of our aviation history vignettes. As we approach election day, if you believe the news media and some of the constant barrage of political advertising from the individual political campaigns, we’re about to…
On This Day in Aviation History: First Steps Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Wikipedia, History.com We gotta start somewhere. “The journey of a thousand miles begins” the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu is quoted as saying, “with a single step.” Today in 1952, my mom, two years married and 24 years old, was six months pregnant…
KSOP and KFQD Disaster Relief Operations Contributor: Barry Fetzer This aviation history vignette is less about history than it is about “current operations”. And it’s a story not about me although I was a bit player in it, emphasis on the word “bit”. So, I hope by telling it I don’t come off as…
The First Kamikaze Attacks 80 Years Ago Today Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Wikipedia, Military Officer Magazine According to Wikipedia, “In desperation during the last years of WWII, the Japanese developed the concept of formally organized suicide units. Suicide attacks, beginning 80 years ago today in 1944, followed critical military and strategic defeats for Japan. …
On This Day in Aviation History: The First Working Parachute Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Wikipedia, History.com Ever jump out of an airplane while parachuting or skydiving? Some of us jump for sport or a one-time, “bucket-list” thrill. Military parachutists (those graduating from a military “jump school”) often claim they have voluntarily jumped out of…
This Day in Aviation History: First Person to Break the Sound Barrier in 1947 Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Wikipedia, History.com A toast one may hear from time-to-time in aviation circles is, “Live fast, die young, and have a good-looking corpse.” Chuck Yeager may have made that toast a time or two, but as a…