And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Chase plane right there, so, probably gliding in to land at Edwards
The men with the "right stuff," as Tom Wolfe's book was famously titled. And they were. The anonymous test pilots who "pushed the envelope" and risked their lives almost daily for a pittance and darned little real appreciation from the public. Thankfully, the muzzle on publicity was thrown off in time for some of these men to enjoy their moment in the limelight.
How little reward did these men get? Brigadier General Chuck Yaeger, the man who broke the sound barrier, did it on an Air Force Captain's pay, and his long-suffering wife Glynnis, too. After years of wondering if Chuck would come home that night, Yaeger figured his wife deserved a high-class gift as thanks. However, the USAF almost didn't allow it - but finally the owner of Bell Aircraft bought her a mink coat, which Captain Yaeger then presented to her.
We live in a country were pro athletes are paid a king's ransom and then some to play children's games, but genuine heroes doing difficult work almost have to live on food stamps they make so little money. Something is wrong with such a system. But I digress and that's another story.
Yaeger died at age 97 not many years ago. Back in 2020, if memory serves. Not many stick-and-rudder men from that bygone era still survive and walk among us. They were giants, that's for sure.
Men of steel to experiment flight that may be their last.
ReplyDeleteThat's the release from the Buff.
ReplyDeleteThe men with the "right stuff," as Tom Wolfe's book was famously titled. And they were. The anonymous test pilots who "pushed the envelope" and risked their lives almost daily for a pittance and darned little real appreciation from the public. Thankfully, the muzzle on publicity was thrown off in time for some of these men to enjoy their moment in the limelight.
ReplyDeleteHow little reward did these men get? Brigadier General Chuck Yaeger, the man who broke the sound barrier, did it on an Air Force Captain's pay, and his long-suffering wife Glynnis, too. After years of wondering if Chuck would come home that night, Yaeger figured his wife deserved a high-class gift as thanks. However, the USAF almost didn't allow it - but finally the owner of Bell Aircraft bought her a mink coat, which Captain Yaeger then presented to her.
We live in a country were pro athletes are paid a king's ransom and then some to play children's games, but genuine heroes doing difficult work almost have to live on food stamps they make so little money. Something is wrong with such a system.
But I digress and that's another story.
Yaeger died at age 97 not many years ago. Back in 2020, if memory serves. Not many stick-and-rudder men from that bygone era still survive and walk among us. They were giants, that's for sure.
A fine tribute
Delete"Something is wrong with such a system."
ReplyDeleteThat right there is the understatement of the year. So far.