This actually happend a while ago. I don't post much because I rarely have anything unique or valueable to contribute, but I noticed that doesn't stop some people...
(plus, I spell like crud)
I took my two son's, ages 6 and 8 to the San Marcos, TX Airshow on November 9th. I knew that Tex Hill lived in or around San Antonio and was a common site at these events. Since were all big fans of Air Shows, big or small, we decided to make a day of it.
Having read several books as a kid about the AVG and recently my wife bought me a book called "Flying Tigers" published by the Smithsonian and written by Daniel Ford. So I packed up some water, snacks and brought "the book" just in case I was lucky enough to run into "Tex" Hill.
The kids and I had a great time looking planes and watching the demonstrations. My boy's even tolerated me dragging them around, in what seemed to them, a never ending search to meet "someone important". I drug them up and down the flight line and down past the hangers to the "Tex Hill Memorial Civil Air Pratrol". I was always just "too late, he's gone somewhere else".
As the show ended and people filed to the parking lot, I decided to make "one last check" in the hanger area. Low and behold, I spied him sitting at table with other "Distinguished Guests". I tried to walk in but was stopped and told the hangar was off limits due the upcoming dinner dance. I almost gave up, but my sad look must have worked becuase the gentleman asked what I needed.
I sheepishly asked if I could walk over meet Tex Hill. He happily relented and let me in...
I walked over to the table, with kids in tow, and pulled out "the book". I introduced myself and try to sound "knowledgeable and confident" and stated what an honor it was to finally meet him (very true for me!). I handed him "the book"....
"Son, that book is full of sh%t" said Tex.
"Yeah, that book is crap, Dan Ford likes to rewrite history" said a guy with a name tag that read Ivan "something", just a Canadian Fighter Pilot, he said of himself.
"What made you read that book, there are better books than that piece of sh%t" said Tex.
Castrophe...Calamity...I'm hit and going down in flames....aaaagggghhhhhh
Since this is getting long, I won't describe the rest of my visit. Lets just say all my rehearsed conversation died at that moment.
I had him sign it anyway, because I don't know when I would ever meet him again. I said "Sign it, and put what YOU think, whatever you want"....
Well here is the book.
And here is what he wrote. I love it, it's great!
Let me say that I am truly honored and glad that I got to shake his hand and that he signed my book. I will take his advice and broaden my horizons... I reread part of the book, and after talking to Tex, it really does not treat them very kindly.
Tex's recomended reading are books by Charlie Bond and Claire Chenault, which I'm hoping to get for Christmas....
Amongst all the petty complaining and whining about this game, we should remember the guys who did more for our country in a few short years than most of us every will in our lifetimes.
See y'all out there......
Lothar
