I can't break the habit, like so many others who read Lex every day. So I still go there even though I know I won't find any more o' the Good Captain's tales o' derring-do, his astute opinions, or his potent dry wit to begin my day. It's just a habit...
But I found something of value there today, as I did every day for the past eight years or so. This, from commenter yaJames:
Have you seen this morning’s Sacramento Bee article? http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/12/4330119/atac-mourns-the-loss-of-capt-carroll.htmlThe article quotes the CEO of ATAC about the accident, and about tributes to Lex. It’s the first time I’ve seen the funeral arrangements published. (March 27th in San Diego.)It also links to http://www.atacusa.com. They’ve turned their web-site into a memorial page.
So I went to ATAC and the memorial page they've posted is truly a work of art. At the very bottom of the page you'll find this:
I had to take two screen shots because all those tributes... they're active links on ATAC's page... don't fit in a single capture. One small correction: the comments and condolences at Lex's place are up to 1,457 this morning.
1,469 comments as I write. I didn't find out until the following morning when a friend emailed me from Afghanistan. The email arrived after I went to bed.
ReplyDeleteMyself and several old F-4 drivers, and even a retired Army Aviator, have tried to puzzle things out as to how it happened. Looks like GCA screwed the pooch on this one and Lex paid the bill.
I met Lex last July, and was looking forward to seeing him again this summer in San Dog. Alas.
I'm anxiously awaiting the FAA inquiry report, QM. I didn't find out about the crash until Wednesday, like you and several hundred (thousand?) others. And I awoke that day to condolence messages... three of 'em... in my in-box. Life is stranger than fiction sometimes.
DeleteI was stunned to see so many blogs listed; not stunned at the volume of tributes but that someone spent a tremendous amount of time collecting them all. I know others have been doing it here and there; but this list is quite astounding.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, so was the man they are for. There is a thing going around on the Facebook Lex Page saying "WWLD" = What Would Lex Do. He set such a fine example of how to live life, in everyway you can apply that statement - certainly his life could be a valuable yardstick for us all to measure ourselves with.
The outpouring continues - both on the blog and on FB. It is just amazing and heart-warming.
I thought about re-instating my Facebook page, briefly, just to join the Lex memorial page. But my antipathy to FB is SO strong that I just couldn't go there. My loss, I know. But... principles. It's what Our Man had. (I know... he had an FB page. But... so?)
DeleteAnd, you wonder how many blogs (such as my personal Titanic) linked to those posts!?!?...Bloggers that didn't really follow his work, but have been influenced/entertained/informed/etc. by those that Lex touched.
ReplyDeleteFine man. Worth grieving over, if you ask me.
The man IS worth grieving over, but I'm still kinda amazed and nonplussed at the width and depth of the grieving. It's astounding.
DeleteWow. I checked ATAC yesterday, and was worried why they hadn't noticed. So wrong-- they had, just didn't have the right thing to say yet. This is just swell under the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWill be reading all those links, including "Noodling on it." Kris in New England has done great work on FB.
ATAC did good work, didn't they? I was most impressed.
DeleteGreatly loved and greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteI'll second that.
DeleteLex certainly set a high standard and will be greatly missed - both in the blog world and real world. Having his writing will be a comfort to his family and friends, but it will also be there for many more to get to know him for years to come.
ReplyDeleteThe strange thing is several "new-to-Lex" people have said just that in comments, Lou. Well, not strange, but ya know what I mean.
DeleteReese - thank you for being so kind. The FB page is a collaborative effort by so many people to get it up and running and make sure everyone who needs to can get to it. We are all using it as a living memorial and, at least for me, it helps.
ReplyDeleteBuck - I know how you feel about FB and certainly having principles is the thing that makes you such a great person; still...joing it for a little while even if to only get to the memorial page. It's - astounding.
I might re-join for a while Kris... I'm thinkin' on it.
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