Memorial Day weekend is here, just another day off to go shopping, grill steaks in the backyard, and chase the kids around the pool. How fast folks forget the meaning of these holidays and why we have them. It’s actually the first time in many years that I will be off from work and able to participate in a biplane tribute to the fallen American and Canadian Soldiers who died in training while stationed at Hicks Army Airfield in North Fort Worth, Texas. As you can imagine, flying the old Curtis Jenny, a classic biplane trainer, was a very dangerous prospect for these eighteen-year-old kids in 1916. Back then and even in WWII, more young men died in training accidents than were killed in combat. You faced a terribly high percentage of dying then, and yet these guys still trained for war in these flimsy motor powered “Kites.” As my dear pilot-friend Reb always says of the era, “That was back when flying was dangerous and Sex was safe, what a world we live in now.”
A group of local pilots here in my area will take to the skies in their antique biplanes to fly over the Veterans Cemetery in downtown Fort Worth to pay homage to those who have gone west before us. On the ground, the roar of old radial engines will fill the air as we pass overhead, our silk scarves trailing out of our cockpits; my eyes shaded by tinted flying goggles over a tan-colored flight helmet. Flying formation with six other planes is a very tedious task, constantly moving the throttle back and forth to control your airspeed as you maintain a position just off your partner’s right wing. Every bump in the air is felt, forcing you to make numerous corrections every second.
I often imagine that time travel is possible during periods like this; truly, you’re in a 1929 biplane, with the wind creating the same whistle as it passes through the flying wires out on the wing. They resonate along the lines of A plus, leaving a slight ringing in your ears after you have landed.
This is what I will do on Monday, flying my 1929 Fleet biplane and saluting all the veterans below who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I urge all American to reflect on what our military has done for this OUTSTANDING country; for without their sacrifices, we might be speaking German or Russian as a national language, or in this day and age, our enemy would like us to be Muslim or dead.
So, I will have my daughter set an extra place at our dinner table with an overturned wine glass for those who are serving now and those who will never come home.
Semper Fi,
Taco
The SandGram 
May 28, 2006 at 3:42 am
I wish I could be at your touching tribute (you all be careful up there). Your daughter is getting the upbringing to be the hero her father is.
May 28, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Be safe, what a great tribute!
Flags will be flying high here for all who have, do and will serve.
May 28, 2006 at 8:24 pm
God bless you and the other fine guys who help us celebrate our great country!
May 29, 2006 at 2:45 am
As a long time reader of your blog, I would like to thank you for your thoughts, opinions, and for the laughs that you have shared along the way. On this Memorial Day, as I reflect on the many blessings of being an American, I will remember the blessings given by the soldiers. All of our liberties and freedoms have been paid for by soldiers, who were willing to sacrifice their very lives for the peace and security of all in this great nation. Thank you to all who have served, and “held high the flag and lifted the cause of liberty”. My family and I will always be grateful for those who secured America’s freedom. You are NOT forgotten.
From my five year old daughter:
“I hope you get to be with your family. Thank you for going to fight for us. I think of you (soldiers) when I see an American flag. I like to sing God Bless America. Thank you for blessing America too.”
May 29, 2006 at 4:39 am
As I visit my father’s grave at the West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetary tomorrow, I will be paying tribute to all of the men and women who will not be coming home. Please keep posting to keep America’s attention on our fighting men and women. So often we American’s forget anything that is not in our face on a daily bases.
May 29, 2006 at 4:52 am
I imagine you will have many an Angel flying with you Monday as you salute and honor those courageous unselfish soldiers. What a fitting tribute and how wonderful for you to be able to participate this year.
I cherish my freedom because it is a gift given at the hands of the brave.
May 29, 2006 at 7:46 am
That is a good way to honor those who gave their all.
I am thankful, and proud of all those brave souls who have given the ultimate sacrifice a man or woman can give.
I will remember them for the rest of my days.
May 29, 2006 at 6:33 pm
What a fitting way to spend the day. Wish I could see it! Be safe! We will not forget those who sacrificed everything to keep us free–nor the ones that continue to walk the line. Thank you for all Your service too!
May 30, 2006 at 1:27 am
Taco, Thank you again for all you have done. I hope it was a good flight you had today.
May 30, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Oops, forgot to mention what great photos these are and what a handsome man is featured:)
May 30, 2006 at 3:26 pm
What a great way to celebrate Memorial Day, Taco! Very cool. I’m glad you got to participate this year. Love the sephia tone picture!
Thanks for all you have done for our country, and for the many other countries in our world. They may not know you like we do, but they know that great Americans like you helped save their country.
May 30, 2006 at 4:54 pm
What a treat those pictures are!! I hope you and your fellow flyers had a great time last weekend. My thoughts and thanks were with all you “magnificent men” (and women) who keep this great nation safe and prosperous.
Semper Gratus!
May 30, 2006 at 7:28 pm
“Magnificent” indeed.
Hope you had a great day Taco, and I luuuuuuuv tha pics! Stole ’em, as a matter of fact. *wink*
May 31, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Are you going to fly a homemade plane next year? Or, are you going to cowrite the book first, or both?Can’t wait to hear about your flying tribute.
May 31, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Kick ass bro. Youre a sexy beast in that scarf!! Happy Memorial Day!! Semper
May 31, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Wow, Taco. Very cool!
May 31, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Very cool. I am related to Glen Curtiss (very distant), so it was exciting to read your post about the old plane. Smooth sailing…
Semper gratus,
Donna
May 31, 2006 at 9:58 pm
That’s terrific! I love the outfit, and the pics are great!
So are you going to be flying into the PNW over July 15th?? We’re planning a little range day for fun. Even if you can’t bring HanK, it would be a hoot 😉
June 1, 2006 at 4:29 am
Hi Taco, When you e-mailed me a nice thanks on Mon. eve and you said you had been flying, I of course thought you meant your pilot job. when I saw this blog and the plane WOW!!! My heart did flip-flops. Hey! you arrived safely home from Iraq, didn’t realize you still need lots of prayers.You must have a very loving, understanding wife. Love your dashing pictures. Didn’t Errol Flynn pose in flying clothes like that? i hadn’t called up your blog this mo. so was plesantly surprised to find two. Whatever you write is always interesting and amusing. When’s the book coming out? It will certainly be a best seller. I really think you should change professions and become a reporter, we need some honest reporting. Be safe. Pat Z.The afghan lady. I also responded to your other blog.
June 1, 2006 at 2:15 pm
The C.O. (wife) is very good about me going up flying in my plane. All I need is Capt.B to check out a couple of .50 Cals and we can go patrol the border together…
I just took a neighbor up for her birthday present, nice sunset flight. Life is good!!
S/F
Taco
June 1, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Just how close does one have to live to you to be considered a “neighbor”…..I’ve already had my birthday this year,but I’m willing to have another one for a present like that….
fly=high
June 1, 2006 at 10:01 pm
You and Capt B patrolling the border? Lemme know when you plan to hit southern AZ and we can meet up for Margaritas:)
June 3, 2006 at 4:04 am
Glad to hear you finally had Memorial Day off! It sounds like you had and enjoyed a wonderful way to pay tribute to our veterans.
I love your pictures. And who knew you had your own plane!?! No wonder your ‘treasures’ from Iraq had garage sale written all over them!
Speaking of flying and birthdays…. ya know, my birthday is in 15 days. I love to fly. And just because I live in Ohio, that doesn’t mean we can’t consider ourselves neighbors ….right? And ya know I’d do anything for ya ……….:)
June 4, 2006 at 8:08 pm
Great post, great pics, and what a great birthday present! 😉
June 15, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Absolutely amazing! Great to see the pictures and read the blogs. Love em keep em coming.