Memorial Day 2012 — lost, then found
Memorial Day 2012 — lost, then found
30º 20′ 55″ N / 87º 16′ 28″ W
The F/A-18 Hornet, in Scott Speicher's unit markings, at a memorial to him on NAS Pensacola — photo by Joseph May
This a day which is set aside to recall those we have lost while in service to our country. One of those, U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Scott “Spike” Speicher, was killed in action on the opening of Gulf War I — in fact, he was the first casualty. Flying a combat mission west of Bagdad he was shot down — either by a SAM or by a MiG 25 — and his remains were lost in the fog of war for 18 years. As things appear he did not survive the crash and may even have immediately killed by the missile’s detonation. Members of a Bedouin tribe buried his remains soon after the crash — an act most kind which only became known nearly two decades after event.
A closer view of the Hornet — photo by Joseph May
A sad story about yet another brave man and a warm gesture on behalf of the Bedouin. Thanks sharing with us who don’t fight. The sad thing is these stories is that seem to becoming infinite.
That they are but there seems to be no shortage of good people attempting brave acts — we are thankful for that.