Today was not a good day…

Posted on by March 6, 2013

This morning, when I went in to work out here, I learned that one of the folks I had trained in 1991 as a young pup in the Navy was in the hospital in Jacksonville, FL with a brain aneurysm. I had worked with him out here the last two years. He had just made E-8, had the dream set of orders he wanted in JAX, and was about a month from getting married. Things just could not have been much better.

As the word got around, we were all stunned, as Todd was the picture of health, never smoked, never drank, was a runner and in great shape.


Three hours later, we learned he had died of a heart attack while in surgery.

I just don’t have the words to express how this loss affected not only me, but the folks here… You never expect something like this, and how must his family and fiancee feel now?

Go with God shipmate… Go with God.

Comments

Today was not a good day… — 4 Comments

  2. LAST FLIGHT

    Sitting under a wing
    under the night sky
    as the engine cools in the night air
    just sitting after that last flight
    amazed at how the scent
    of the sky remains in my hair
    fireflies sparking the sky
    mistaking them for stars
    looking up
    fireflies and stars
    thinking though, about friends gone
    looking at the brilliant spots of light
    in the night heaven
    and the dark shape of airplanes
    darker then the sky
    for which they sit in wait
    thinking how much we miss them
    telling their stories out loud
    not loud, really, but very quietly
    those stories, those fearless days
    their courage
    saying their names
    speaking to them in the night sky
    a pilots prayer
    for those who went before
    to light our sky
    to guide us home
    “Scully” 2006

  3. How very sad.

    From what you say, it sounds like he lived life and lived it well. That is some comfort that those who loved him can take out of this very tragic and sad event.

    Words are just not enough in a situation such as this.

    I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.

  4. Thanks. Todd was only 38 when he died, not even half way through a “normal” lifespan. Life is fragile folks, live it while you can.