I just came across this as well. My thoughts go out to his family. He lived a remarkable life so it seems.
We’re much more than just words, and yet through the power of our words we get to enjoy people like David Simmons.
Rest in peace.
Cartooniverse
I knew Wisconsin was a special place for some reason. Now I know that reason.
I’ll be in an airplane around the time of the service.
Somehow it seems appropriate.
I went to the service today, very moving, shed some tears.
I learned of this web site at the service and it mentioned how many people posted from all over the world with their thoughts and wishes to Cook. The family was deeply moved by this and so am I after reading some of the threads. The one, A mesage from David Simmons, was very moving and will be going back to the links posted there for the threads he took part in. Thank You to the poster who did that. The feature to click on the name and see all his posts is nice too, I will be using that. I just wish I knew of this site and David’s posts sooner. I take part in a message board up here in Crestline, CA but this one is world wide and I love the fact that you all are fighting the Idiots. This is all a bit overwhelming though, lots of threads!
I am married to David’s son William’s ex wife and we have been together now for 15 years. I am David’s grandsons stepdad. I have always got along with Bill (William) since the begining. In Fact when Bill needed a contractor to build his house in Crestline, the one he had at first flaked so I told him I could do it (thats what I do) So Bill and I built his house around 1995 or so. That is when I met Cook. It is hard to gain my respect but he did in our first meeting, I am not sure why, but I knew right away he was someone special. When I found out he flew a B-26 in WWII I was in awe. I always looked forward to when he was coming up when we were working on the house just to be able to talk to him. I can count on my hands the people I have true respect for in this world and now one of them is gone. I only wish My Dad would have had a chance to meet him. He was a WWII buff and had great knowledge of all the aircraft. He was a observer for the Palm Springs Aero Squardon and had the chance to ride in a vintage B-26 that is privatly owned by a freind of his in Palm Springs and it was a highlight of his life along with helping out at the March Air base aircraft museum. He died of Pancreatic cancer in 2002 at 61. I hate cancer, it sucks!
I shed many tears at Cook’s memorial. It was a very nice little service down the street from his house in Ridgecrest with a nice reception afterward with found and a clubhouse near his house. Wilma was so brave and is such a sweet lady. They showed Pictures of Cook throughout his life and his service days. The one that stood out the most for me was the one of him in front of Hitlers Hideout, the one that all the news reels show with him and his cohorts on the deck in the mountains. Cook is sitting on a fence with the house on the hill in the background, His face was saying, the war is over now, send me home to my Wilma please.
I’m tearing up again, I will post some more thoughts. I am so glad That I can read some of his thoughts here on this forum and will be in the coming months. I may join, I like fighting the Idiots, the only problem is that it doest seem that there are any in here, but thats OK.
I hope this post pushes this thread back to the top of the board, and I’ll be back…
Thanks for the update, CoreyinVOE. I’ve been thinking about David’s memorial service being today.
Thought I would share this, a little poem from Wilma that was on the inside cover of the program they handed out.
He sets his sights high
Served his country in the sky.
This be continued academically
And professionally.
With sharp mind and wit be
Shared with others on the internet
With love and wondeful
Memories to carry me through,
Wilma
This was on the inside cover of the program. The cover had a aflag with a bald eagle on it.
He was part of the greatest generation that we are losing fast. His cousin gave the service talk with strict instructions from David on what he wanted. One of the first things he said was that he didnt want it to be “too long, dont make it boring”. His life celebration was covered very well. The miltary honor gaurd was touching also.
I dont have too many regrets in my life but one of them is that I never found the time to go up and play a round of golf with David. He always said “come on up and we will do nine” I never made it. The best way to get to know a man is to play golf with him. My stepson, his grandson Casey and I were talking at the house. Casey said that for as long as he can remember he never used a cart, always walked the course, you have to admire that.
David’s son Bill and I are friends, we always got along and became better friends when we built his house. We live about 1/2 mile apart in the Valley of Enchantment part of Crestline, that is what the VOE is for in my screen name. Both of us have been here about 14 years. It has always scared my wife on how well we get along. I feel that I got a little extra family out of the deal and He has a wonderful family. I told Bill yesterday that he is a lucky man and to be happy that his Dad had such a long life and was always there for him. I think David was one of the most self sacraficing people I have ever met. I know it seems kinda odd that the ex get along with each other. Lisa and I were both married once before. She has never met my ex but we didnt have any kids involved in my divorce so it was a clean break. Lisa and Bill had Casey so that tied us all together. David Loved Casey so much and would do anything for him.
gotta go be back later…
Corey,
Thanks so much for posting here in what was an emotional day. We all loved him here, as his ownself, but also as an elder, wiser person. There certainly aren’t many of his generation that adapted to internet communication as ably as he did.
Please continue to post with your memories and thoughts here, most welcome to help remember a treasured member of this community. And, condolence to your family, grace in remembrance of a wonderful man.
It was interesting, his cousin Jim mentioned at the memorial that he arrived in Europe in time for the Battle of the Buldge. He had some training on multi engine aircraft but his first mission he had never flown a B-26. David said “all planes are basicaly the same” so there he went. His crew called him the “old man”, he was 22. Never lost a crew man or a plane. There were pictures of the plane he flew, it was beat up but in was one peice. There was a picture of him flying in the cockpit and the look of concentration on his face was something. Just amazing back then the crews of 18, 19, 20 year olds maning these bombers with all the guns and bombs and general fire power. These kids saved the free world!