An American hero is passing

[Bill in Oregon]

My best friend's father -- I think he is about 96 -- is about to pass with pneumonia. Dr. Donald Hedrick taught range management at Oregon State University, then took over as dean of the School of Natural Resources at Humboldt State in California before retiring. He was born in the Grays Harbor area of the state of Washington, and he flew a P-40 with Gen. Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers in World War II against the Imperial Japanese. He has to be one of the very last of Chennault's pilots still alive.
A long, productive life to be admired -- and he was a sound Methodist. There are few men left who were cut from that kind of fabric.
Godspeed to you sir.

[earlmck]

A long and productive life. I didn't know about the pneumonia or about the Flying Tigers. Thanks much for the update, Bill.

My salute to a fine man, Don.

[plowboy 45]

Thanks to this gentle man for his service and sound morals
Will keep the family in our prays.

Plowboy

[Blaine]

Thank you for sharing.....Don, RIP.....

[Borregos]

Thank you for sharing.....Don, RIP.....

Plus one.

[AJMD429]

We should learn all we can from that bunch. Hope he passes without suffering, and his family does ok.

[firefuzz]

May God grant His grace to this weary warrior, and swift journey to His side. Prayers for peace of mind and heart for the family.

Rob

[Bill in Oregon]

Thanks to all. Dr. Hedrick passed yesterday afternoon.

[OLBIKER]

RIP

[piller]

Our world is lessened by the passing of such men. I very much doubt that he thought of himself as a hero, but that what he did need to be done. I hope he has been welcomed with open arms to an eternal reward.

[Paladin]

Our world is lessened by the passing of such men. I very much doubt that he thought of himself as a hero, but that what he did need to be done. I hope he has been welcomed with open arms to an eternal reward.

+1 R.I.P.

[Sixgun]

My hat is off to a gentleman of his stature. A dying breed and while this country still produces them, it's not in the same percentage.----6

[jeepnik]

When ever I hear of an aviator passing these words always come to mind.

God's speed Pilot

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

[plowboy 45]

Our world is lessened by the passing of such men. I very much doubt that he thought of himself as a hero, but that what he did need to be done. I hope he has been welcomed with open arms to an eternal reward.

This was said perfectly, sad loss for his family, and OUR country.

[daisygordoninc]

Yes, we all owe much to those men, my dad fought in the South Pacific and didn't see me until the war was over and he came home. He never bragged about doing heroic things, he was a SGT Major, I am proud of him, he is also gone now. God Bless those amazing men who fought around the world for what America has had since. My dad taught me the love of the outdoors, animals, who God is, and taught me to hunt with an old 94, and I'm still hunting with those old guns.

Gordon

[Bill in Oregon]

Jeepnik, thanks for posting that. I had seen it long ago and forgotten about it.

[jeepnik]

Jeepnik, thanks for posting that. I had seen it long ago and forgotten about it.

Us old Airedales tend to remember that poem.

[66GTO]

Salute, Dr. Hedrick.

[Old Savage]

Blessings, condolences.