A pilot story

("Rich S." wrote)
At about 400 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the old
American pilot saluting. Imagine . A salute! I felt like laughing, I felt
like crying, she glistened, she screamed, the building shook, my heart
pounded.

Then the old pilot pulled her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of
sight into the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.

I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day. It was a time
when many nations in the world looked to America as their big brother, a
steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult
political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd just
flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart,
old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. That America
will return one day, I know it will.

Until that time, I'll just send off this story; call it a reciprocal
salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian
that's lasted a lifetime.


"The Americans"
by: Gordon Sinclair

http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/n...e/am_text.html
click Listen to the original audio

http://www.tysknews.com/Depts/Our_Cu...cans_story.htm
The story

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c77_1179543503
This version went to #4 on Billboard charts (1973)


Paul-Mont
(NAC) Necessary Aviation Content:
"Come on... let's hear it! Does any other country in the world have a plane
to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar or the Douglas 10? If
so, why don't they fly them? Why do all international lines except Russia
fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a
man or a woman on the moon?"

"Montblack" wrote in message
...

"The Americans"
by: Gordon Sinclair

Thanks. I wondered where it came from.

Rich S.