…and danced the sky on laughter silver wings…
…then touched the face of God.
May they rest in peace. God be with their families.
We are fortunate to have people like this who serve and protect our country. R.I.P.
I get misty-eyed every time I read that poem. It was on my bulletin board during my basic ATC training in Cornwall.
Having the Snowbirds pass through when I’m on shift can brighten up the dreariest of days. The ultimate professionals in some ageing equipment.
If you’re so inclined, say a little prayer to your deity tonight for the fallen.
My dad enlisted in the RCAF in 1939 and survived as Air Crew in Bomber Command. He came home and never spoke of his service, bearing his memories & pain in his own way.
But he kept a copy of this poem in his top dresser drawer and when he would read it, laugh and mourn for his friends who didn’t come home.
This poem was his rock of salvation & remembrance and always makes me proud that he was my father.
One More Roll
We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God’s own hand to be with him on High.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they’ve known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven’s very door.
As we fly among them there, we’re sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
— Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968.
God bless and rest in peace.
That poem makes me tear up whenever I hear it. It is beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. RIP
What will it take for them to finally dump these Tutors and pick up a flock of F-16’s?
“The CT-114 Tutor has been in service in Canada since 1962”
46 years is too long for an aircraft to be put through the stress that these go through.
Godspeed guys, and thanks…..
Who killed Cock Robin……..
Rest in Peace and may God Bless especially those left behind.
“Life is like a box of chocolates…”
Nicely quoted Kate
This reminds me why I like conservatives; no matter how much the liberal arts educated crowd likes to quote and reference; “we” are a little bit better read and more aware
Per ardua ad Astra Through adversity to the stars my dad was an air force “volunteer” Battle of Britan never said much about it but was proud to have served a sad day for those left behind R I P and god bless Cheers Bubba
Thanks bubba. Nice Latinization, combined with the name “bubba”. Thanks for reinforcing my point re conservatives and having a brain
And – most importantly – a heart
Libs – fake heart – righters – a real heart
Thank you Eric just reminded me of my dad, lots of good memories, funny and sad too.
Anyway Eric ever out here on the “left coast’ I will proudly introduce you to my wife of 40 years and counting “Bubbette” countdown go Conservatives!
Cheers Bubba
Death is always a possibility in many occupations and aviation and the military are no exception. Having said that, it is not any easier to deal with this crash than the one before it. My condolances go out to the familiy and friends affected by this loss.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
It never fails to sadden me when people use the fact that an aircraft is old in order to theorize as to what caused an aviation mishap. A lot of people would be shocked to find out just how old some of Canada’s vetrans of the airways are. The CT114 Tutor aircraft used by the Snowbirds are not the same ones used from the start. A Snowbird designated airframe has a limited life cycle in terms of hours flown and stresses encountered. When limits of either or both have been reached then that particular airframe is cycled back into the fleet or retired, depending on the circumstance. Trust the Flight Safety Board to find out the cause(s) of this tradegy.
Deepest condolences to the family’s and comrades of the airmen involved.
High Flight is a well respected classic I have always misted up when reading.
One More Roll is another. Tks Hans
Thanks for this one Kate. I lost a room mate in the RCAF and this brings back memories. We seldom think of those in service who loose their lives in many circumstances other than combat but there are many.
Bless them all!
Yet another reminder of what those in our armed services sacrifice and risk for our safety. I try to thank any member of the armed services whom I see; I’m sure that all of you do, too.
I wish, oh I wish, some way could be found to ‘pass the word’ and carry out a plan to ‘accidentally on purpose’ ditch all the sea kings and all the tutor jets and that way it could be done in a non-fatal manner and then force the gubbamint (currently conservative) to either replace them with up-to-date stuff or put an end to the fatalities from worn out eqpt older than the personnel flying it.
…and danced the sky on laughter silver wings…
…then touched the face of God.
May they rest in peace. God be with their families.
We are fortunate to have people like this who serve and protect our country. R.I.P.
I get misty-eyed every time I read that poem. It was on my bulletin board during my basic ATC training in Cornwall.
Having the Snowbirds pass through when I’m on shift can brighten up the dreariest of days. The ultimate professionals in some ageing equipment.
If you’re so inclined, say a little prayer to your deity tonight for the fallen.
My dad enlisted in the RCAF in 1939 and survived as Air Crew in Bomber Command. He came home and never spoke of his service, bearing his memories & pain in his own way.
But he kept a copy of this poem in his top dresser drawer and when he would read it, laugh and mourn for his friends who didn’t come home.
This poem was his rock of salvation & remembrance and always makes me proud that he was my father.
One More Roll
We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God’s own hand to be with him on High.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they’ve known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven’s very door.
As we fly among them there, we’re sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
— Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968.
God bless and rest in peace.
That poem makes me tear up whenever I hear it. It is beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. RIP
What will it take for them to finally dump these Tutors and pick up a flock of F-16’s?
“The CT-114 Tutor has been in service in Canada since 1962”
46 years is too long for an aircraft to be put through the stress that these go through.
Godspeed guys, and thanks…..
Who killed Cock Robin……..
Rest in Peace and may God Bless especially those left behind.
“Life is like a box of chocolates…”
Nicely quoted Kate
This reminds me why I like conservatives; no matter how much the liberal arts educated crowd likes to quote and reference; “we” are a little bit better read and more aware
Per ardua ad Astra Through adversity to the stars my dad was an air force “volunteer” Battle of Britan never said much about it but was proud to have served a sad day for those left behind R I P and god bless Cheers Bubba
Thanks bubba. Nice Latinization, combined with the name “bubba”. Thanks for reinforcing my point re conservatives and having a brain
And – most importantly – a heart
Libs – fake heart – righters – a real heart
Thank you Eric just reminded me of my dad, lots of good memories, funny and sad too.
Anyway Eric ever out here on the “left coast’ I will proudly introduce you to my wife of 40 years and counting “Bubbette” countdown go Conservatives!
Cheers Bubba
Death is always a possibility in many occupations and aviation and the military are no exception. Having said that, it is not any easier to deal with this crash than the one before it. My condolances go out to the familiy and friends affected by this loss.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
It never fails to sadden me when people use the fact that an aircraft is old in order to theorize as to what caused an aviation mishap. A lot of people would be shocked to find out just how old some of Canada’s vetrans of the airways are. The CT114 Tutor aircraft used by the Snowbirds are not the same ones used from the start. A Snowbird designated airframe has a limited life cycle in terms of hours flown and stresses encountered. When limits of either or both have been reached then that particular airframe is cycled back into the fleet or retired, depending on the circumstance. Trust the Flight Safety Board to find out the cause(s) of this tradegy.
Deepest condolences to the family’s and comrades of the airmen involved.
High Flight is a well respected classic I have always misted up when reading.
One More Roll is another. Tks Hans
Thanks for this one Kate. I lost a room mate in the RCAF and this brings back memories. We seldom think of those in service who loose their lives in many circumstances other than combat but there are many.
Bless them all!
Yet another reminder of what those in our armed services sacrifice and risk for our safety. I try to thank any member of the armed services whom I see; I’m sure that all of you do, too.
I wish, oh I wish, some way could be found to ‘pass the word’ and carry out a plan to ‘accidentally on purpose’ ditch all the sea kings and all the tutor jets and that way it could be done in a non-fatal manner and then force the gubbamint (currently conservative) to either replace them with up-to-date stuff or put an end to the fatalities from worn out eqpt older than the personnel flying it.