# Condolences.........

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condolences/22867>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 19, 2000, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condolences/22867 "2000-06-19T16:27:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2000, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condolences/22867/1 "2000-06-19T16:27:32Z")

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This is an open letter of condolence to the Naval Aviation Community at Norfolk, and to ChiefScott, at the loss of their shipmates this weekend.

May they rest in peace, and may their souls fly forever.  
May God bring comfort and a measure of understanding to their families, for fly is what they loved, and did.  
Larry

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**Author:** ![purrplebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90ced4/32.png) [@purrplebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purrplebear)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2000, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condolences/22867/2 "2000-06-19T16:41:20Z")

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I’m so sorry to hear of this loss. VB said it better than I could have. My heart is heavy for the families of these brave men.  
May they rest in peace, and may their souls fly free forever.

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**Author:** ![purrplebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90ced4/32.png) [@purrplebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purrplebear)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2000, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condolences/22867/3 "2000-06-19T21:27:37Z")

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I’m sorry ChiefScott. Did you know all of them personally?

\<Just this once, I promise, a hug for you.\>  
{{{{{ChiefScott}}}}}

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**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2000, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condolences/22867/4 "2000-06-20T00:29:34Z")

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I did not know the crew.

They were attached to VF-101 (fighter squadron) out of Naval Air Station Oceana (Va.) and were performing at Naval Reserve Base Willow Grove’s annual “Sound of Freedom” air show in Pa. Both the pilot and RIO died.

I attended said show once as a child, and worked it four years running ('95-'98) as a PAO for Navy Recruiting. 10,000 to 15,000 people attend the show each day.

I only know what I’ve read in the press. But, the guys that perform at these shows are the “best of the best” and all the military pilots are volunteers.

The family of Naval Aviation was diminished a bit this weekend. But they died doing what they loved for the country they loved.

Fair winds and following seas, shipmates.