Zane Adams wrote:
Last Saturday was rough.
Dawn and were in Fredericksburg to attend a concert at Lukenbach. We arived before our room was ready and really didn't feel like walking the main street with the huge gaggle of tourists, been there done that. So I drove to the airport to have a look at the hangar hotel on the field.
I saw Cowden Ward's P-51, "Pecos Bill" parked on the ramp. He was there to fly a WWII vet in the mustang and fly over the Nimitz Museum's Pacific War reenactment going on in town.
I was surprised to see Cowden and he was surprised to see us. We talked for a bit and he introduced me to his passenger, Vincent Lasoda. Mr Lasoda was a B-17 bombardier in WWII, he lost an arm on his 25th mission. Cowden said "I'm glad you're here, I'm going to need help getting Mr Lasoda in the airplane"
I helped to put them in the airplane and sent them on their way.
About half an hour later the guy from the FBO came out and said they got a report that the aiprlane went down over town.
We now know that neither of them survived.
It's hard to wrap my head around that I was the last one to talk with them. We watched them depart, never to return.....may God bless them.
It was a Bad day.
I wanted to share some photos from Saturday....it hurts my heart to think about, but I feel like I need to share it.
Dear Zane, Wow! I'm sorry, that's just a bit too close to get your mind around, been there as well and I know how that haunts a person. Prayers for them, prayers for you. Unfortunately that is, and will continue to be, a part of this aviation thing we love so dearly. I am thankful for you and wish you peace and time to contemplate your blessings this week. JW
Zane, I can imagine how hard it was to share those photos, but I am glad you did. As horrible as the outcome was, it's the times before that, that really matter. The moments of anticipation of the pleasure of flying again was surely evident on their faces as you helped them get ready for that final flight. It's those mements that stay with us and make life worth living.
Zane Adams wrote:
Last Saturday was rough.
Dawn and were in Fredericksburg to attend a concert at Lukenbach. We arived before our room was ready and really didn't feel like walking the main street with the huge gaggle of tourists, been there done that. So I drove to the airport to have a look at the hangar hotel on the field.
I saw Cowden Ward's P-51, "Pecos Bill" parked on the ramp. He was there to fly a WWII vet in the mustang and fly over the Nimitz Museum's Pacific War reenactment going on in town.
I was surprised to see Cowden and he was surprised to see us. We talked for a bit and he introduced me to his passenger, Vincent Lasoda. Mr Lasoda was a B-17 bombardier in WWII, he lost an arm on his 25th mission. Cowden said "I'm glad you're here, I'm going to need help getting Mr Lasoda in the airplane"
I helped to put them in the airplane and sent them on their way.
About half an hour later the guy from the FBO came out and said they got a report that the aiprlane went down over town.
We now know that neither of them survived.
It's hard to wrap my head around that I was the last one to talk with them. We watched them depart, never to return.....may God bless them.
It was a Bad day.
I wanted to share some photos from Saturday....it hurts my heart to think about, but I feel like I need to share it.
Wow that was a rough experience Zane, really weird to look at the photo's after reading your story.
In a way still a nice tribute.
I hope you can process the things you witnessed ( experienced ) don't know the correct word.
Good that you shared your story and photo's and being able to talk about it.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Before the week gets away from me (too late), I want to take a minute to wish everyone a Blessed and Peace-Filled Thanksgiving. Safe travel if you are on the road and if you're just kicking back at home, have a wonderful rest of your week. we have 18 people converging on our house starting this evening so the list of "honey Do's" is , well about average for this time of year. I am going to try to find a day to spend at HQ because it seems like I haven't seen it in months.
Much to be thankful for, as always, but at the forefront at this moment is God's Providence for Chandler's Sweetheart. Jillian hit a pothole in the dark a few nights ago getting on Hwy 75 to go home, blew a tire and rolled her little car three times. She ended up hanging from her seat belts, tried to get out the door but the frame was so damaged that none would open so she crawled out through a space normally occupied by her windshield. Cuts, bruises, broken hand and very traumatized, but she'll be ok and we are all very thankful, it could well have been so much worse. We have been there, and are very thankful that we aren't there again....Show more →
Man no way what a story Jim, thank god she had here seatbelt on.
I hope she gets well soon and that she still dares to drive when she is healed..
And Yeah have a great blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving..... now were is that turkey
Wishing you peace, Zane. It's hard to wrap your head around that you were the last, other than the tower, to talk to them.
Zane Adams wrote:
Last Saturday was rough.
Dawn and were in Fredericksburg to attend a concert at Lukenbach. We arrived before our room was ready and really didn't feel like walking the main street with the huge gaggle of tourists, been there done that. So I drove to the airport to have a look at the hangar hotel on the field.
I saw Cowden Ward's P-51, "Pecos Bill" parked on the ramp. He was there to fly a WWII vet in the mustang and fly over the Nimitz Museum's Pacific War reenactment going on in town.
I was surprised to see Cowden and he was surprised to see us. We talked for a bit and he introduced me to his passenger, Vincent Lasoda. Mr Lasoda was a B-17 bombardier in WWII, he lost an arm on his 25th mission. Cowden said "I'm glad you're here, I'm going to need help getting Mr Lasoda in the airplane"
I helped to put them in the airplane and sent them on their way.
About half an hour later the guy from the FBO came out and said they got a report that the airplane went down over town.
We now know that neither of them survived.
It's hard to wrap my head around that I was the last one to talk with them. We watched them depart, never to return.....may God bless them.
It was a Bad day.
I wanted to share some photos from Saturday....it hurts my heart to think about, but I feel like I need to share it.
Glad she had her seatbelt on, and that the worst physical injury is the broken hand. Hopefully the shaking up resolves quickly.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Before the week gets away from me (too late), I want to take a minute to wish everyone a Blessed and Peace-Filled Thanksgiving. Safe travel if you are on the road and if you're just kicking back at home, have a wonderful rest of your week. we have 18 people converging on our house starting this evening so the list of "honey Do's" is , well about average for this time of year. I am going to try to find a day to spend at HQ because it seems like I haven't seen it in months.
Much to be thankful for, as always, but at the forefront at this moment is God's Providence for Chandler's Sweetheart. Jillian hit a pothole in the dark a few nights ago getting on Hwy 75 to go home, blew a tire and rolled her little car three times. She ended up hanging from her seat belts, tried to get out the door but the frame was so damaged that none would ope so she crawled out through a space normally occupied by her windshield. Cuts, bruises, broken hand and very traumatized, but she'll be ok and we are all very thankful, it could well have been so much worse. We have been there, and are very thankful that we aren't there again....Show more →
Zane, what a terrible set of circumstances. I hope that the Lord gives you peace. Thant is a difficult situation and you will be in my prayers.
Jim, Glad to hear that Chandlers girlfriend is OK. I am sure that she will be a little apprehensive behind the wheel once she begins driving again. Good thing she had on her seat belt or it sounds like it might have been a much worse situation.
Numerous recent events have gotten me to pull out a book I read every so often when I'm in a contemplative mood. I've lost count of how often I've read A Gift of Wings by Richard Bach. I was wondering if anyone else pulls out some specific book that they find somehow special, and what it is.
Zane, thank you for sharing those photos. I didn’t know Cowden personally although I have seen him around at the Airshows. A sad loss, for sure. Be glad that the last person they spoke to was one full of cheer and smiles.
Jim, glad things didn’t turn out worse for your household. Enjoy those 18 folks around the table (I know you will).
I bring greetings from Sir Donald; he tweeted to me the other day, he no longer does airshows but is keeping occupied making electronics with his Arduino. He says hello to everyone here.
And a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here. It's going to be a really long weekend till I see the doc on Tuesday for the results and further course of action and treatments.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our guests headed back north at 6:30 this morning so things are returning to "normal" around here. Halle Girl is sound asleep in the center of our bed as we speak, she was non-stop with the little ones for the past few days and she's exhausted. The John Deere never cooled off and the trailer that I packed with warm blankets and pillows was rarely empty. James III was having a bit of a grouchy day yesterday and his parents couldn't quite figure out what to do next. I snatched him up, out him on my lap and off we went for a long tractor ride together, he was happy as can be. He's begun this thing where he breaks into a huge smile when he catches a glimpse of me and his arms and legs start going a mile a minute, he knows that fun is just around the corner.
Anyone heard from Nick lately? I pm'd him a week or so ago but have not heard back. I'm about to send out the St. Bernards, hope he is just busy, but well.
Happy to tell you that Miss Jillian made it to Thanksgiving at our house and she was quiet, but in good spirits. She's pretty tenacious, apparently she tried riding her horse a few days ago but that wan't too successful, kids.
She certainly sounds resiliant. Horse people are kinda funny though, it doesn't matter how banged up they are, there's no pain that can't be cured by going riding again.
, kids.