Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: buhdman on October 04, 2000, 11:02:00 AM
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I'm sorry to report that "Whitey" Wannemacher, CO of the Buccaneers, succumbed to his battle with cancer and died this morning. He will be sorely missed. I include this poem (you may have seen it before) that I wrote years ago because it helps me deal with my grief at times like this:
Siren Sunsets
In our hearts we harbor
Different dreams to find,
Other roads call out to us
To leave this place behind.
Indeed, it is our destiny
To wind our separate ways,
Chasing after siren sunsets,
Lured by their illusive rays.
For the paths we walk were parted
Well before we ever met,
And separate they must again,
As sure as suns will set.
But for a fleeting foot of time
Our pathways were as one,
Allowing us to be together, here,
To share a common sun.
Soon it will be time, my friend,
To say our last goodbyes,
Our tempered smiles will be betrayed
By teardrops in our eyes.
But the friendship we have forged
Will fill my heart my whole life through,
Though we savor different sunsets,
I will often think of you.
<S> Whitey!
Walt (buhdman) Barrow, out
[This message has been edited by buhdman (edited 10-05-2000).]
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Salute!
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It was an honor to know Whitey and fly with him both on line and off. He will be sorely missed.
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Terrible news.
I didn't even know the fellow, but as he was your CO, and your online buddy, my condolences go to you guys.
I hope he was an older guy who lived a long life, with a raised family, no children at home. I feel for his family and close friends.
My father has lymphoma, and the dread, worry, and ache that cancer gives a family is a killer in itself, not to mention what it does to the poor victim. God rest whitey's soul, he's out of his pain now.
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I didn't know him but I know of the kind of battle he waged. Salute "Whitey"
-Westy
(That is a wonderful poem, Buhdman. Salute to you and the Buccaneers too)
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My condolences to the family; and to the Buccaneers.
Methinks a fly-by is in order.. hope we can all support the Buccaneers as they pay tribute.
He will be missed.
Hang
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(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif) <S> Whitey
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Whitey, I Salute You Sir!!
I will be praying for the family.
Hang in there Buccaneers.
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Apache
=XO= VMF-323 Death Rattlers
VMF 323 Death Rattlers Web Site (http://home.earthlink.net/~bkapache)
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I have known Whitey since 1997. He was a driving force behind the formation of the Buccaneers, and provided the vision that we all followed in our on-line flying. He was also an expert pilot in real life, being a key member of the group, Fantasy Flight. Fantasy Flight owns and operates a handfull of WWII aircraft, and for years Whitey and his fellows have toured airshows from one end of the country to the other. In their authentic costumes and aircraft, they have kept alive that bygone era of WWII aviation. He will be sorely missed.
Aces High, and before that WarBirds, has been my way of reliving the WWII era of aviation, and Whitey was a friend and mentor. Though most of us Buccs are not pilots in real-life, Whitey always treated us with the same respect and professionalism regardless. He and I went on-line one time so he could tutor me on my ACM. Twice in that two-hour session I managed to shoot him down (the score was still pretty lobsided, though). Afterwards, he said a few nice words about my improvement, and they remain in my mind to this day.
Buhdman's poem says it much more eloquently than I could ever manage. Thanks, Whitey...we'll never forget you. Salute...
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Sabre, a.k.a. Rojo
(S-2, The Buccaneers)
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My condolences (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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StSanta
9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
(http://voices.vossnet.co.uk/t/toles/9jg54.gif)
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My condolences to his family and to the Buccaneers. Very sad news. I think Hang's idea of a fly-by is definately in order.
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Wherever he is roaming the skies now i hope his targets will be low and slow ..
My sincere condolences to his family .
Blue Skies !
Phillip "Duckwing6" Artweger
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To Whitey
<S>
I first meet Whitey about the same time as Rojo/Sabre. He was truly a wonderful human being and a Great Pilot in real life.
Whitey once took me tracking antelope in a Colorado Department of Wildlife Cessna. The mission was to remove a herd of antelope from a Colorado rancher's land. As we buzzed the animal, he remarked that he was using the same energy conservation techniques as we did in Warbirds (AH was non-existent at the time).
On another occasion, he took me up in his AT-6, where we rendezvoused with one of his Fantasy Flight pilot, and did simulated dog fights. What a blast.
He also allowed me to co-pilot his C-45 last year when we were returning from a Confederate Air Show in Midland, Texas. Again another great blast. I saw 4 flying B-17s roar overhead as Gronk and I were just milling around the show late one early evening.
Whitey was also responsible for the great formation discipline the Buccaneers have shown and are showing today in AH. He was the motivator, designer and commander for most of our unique and wonderful mission in both Warbirds and Aces High.
Anyone remember the Beer Supply mission we did in JU-52's in Warbirds?
I know that I speak both for myself and for all members of the Buccaneers in saying that Whitey will be greatly missed.
delta
<S>
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My condolences to his family and the Buccaneers.
popeye
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<S>
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Kari Sommer
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Salute Whitey
Buhdman - what was whitey's nick in WB ?
We flew around with you guys and i don't remember seeing him there...
Then again, my memory is rather horrible lately ;(
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Bartlomiej Rajewski
aka. Wing Commander fd-ski
Northolt Wing
1st Polish Fighter Wing
303 (Polish) Squadron "Kosciuszko" RAF
308 (Polish) Squadron "City of Cracow" RAF
315 (Polish) Squadron "City of Deblin" RAF
Turning 109s and 190s into scrap metal since 1998
Northolt Wing Headquarters (http://www.raf303.org/northolt/)
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S! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
Sisu
-Karnak
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I lost my mom to cancer just over a year ago.
I know what his family is going through.
Condolences to Whitey's family and to the Buccaneers.
<S> Sir !
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My sincere condolences.
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Doug "Pyro" Balmos
HiTech Creations
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I didn't know him, but anytime the flight-sim community loses one of its own, it is a sad day.
<S>
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Lt Col Dune
X.O. 352nd Fighter Group (http://www.352ndfightergroup.com)
"The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney"
"Credo quia absurdum est." (I believe it because it is unreasonable)
- The motto of the Republic of Baja Arizona
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My sincere condolences go out to Whitey's real life family ans also to his wonderful on-line family, The Buccaneers!!
I remember flying with him on-line! What a great experience it was!!
<S> Whitey!!!
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First I would like to pass on my condolences to the Family of Whitey and to the Buccs for the loss of a great man and good friend.
Second I would like to pass on th econdolences of the entire VMF-115. Let us know if/when you are going to fly a missing man and we would love to join up with you guys if possible.
S!
Rocket
(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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In every day of life the sun will set.
Every life has its final sunset.
I salute the man <S>
Yeager
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I remember the first time, I looked up into the bomb bay of a WWII PV2 Harpoon, and asked the guy working there if he needed any help restoring the old aircraft. Whitey shook my hand and invited me aboard.
I remember the first time at the controls of an aircraft. Whitey was sitting next me showing me the ropes and encouraging me.
I remember when Whitey shook my hand, opened the door of the aircraft and said" Go ahead, and give me three touch n go's and a full stop landing, you're ready now!" Then he got out, stood by the taxi way and gave me the wave-on.
I remember flying back from an airshow and Whitey saying "You take the controls." And then he closed his eyes and went to sleep, leaving me at the controls of a WWII Bomber.
I remember flying in a smoke filled aircraft. I looked over at Whitey. He smiled through teary eyes, and said "Just like coming back from a real mission eh?
I remember all the times with Whitey and I'm glad to have known him. He was a good man and a friend of mine. I will miss his company, but not his absence. I know he's up there turn'n and burn'n over my head.
wabbit
The Buccaneers
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Please check this thread later today or first thing tommorrow.
The Buccaneers would like to have a truce declared, long enough for eveyone to accompany us to the central mountain of the map, where we will do a missing man formation and then dive into the mountain.
I will post the date and time later today or first thing tommorrow morning. It will probably be Saturday, later in the afternoon or early evening.
Please check here for details.
Thanks,
wabbit
The Buccaneers
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My sincere condolences to the family and to the Bucs. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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bloom25
THUNDERBIRDS
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Rgr Wab. I'll be there.
Hang
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Thoughts and prayers are with you. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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Salute to our fallen warrior. Tis a sad day when you loose someone close.
My condolences,
Spatula.
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Salute my friend
My sincere condolences
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Tis a real shame.... didn't know Whitey (WB handle was?), but he sounds like he was one helluva good person.
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SnakeEyes
o-o-o-
=4th Fighter Group=
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(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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Well said Buhdman,
While never having met Whitey in person, it was a great pleasure to learn and fly with him as a Buccaneer. The Bucc's share a special situation, and have been kind enough to take me in. Salute Whitey, and Thankyou for sharing your expirence and leadership with me.
Blue skies ahead Bud!
Prayers for the Wannamacher Family
Camel
A proud Buccaneer
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Sincere condolences to family & friends.
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Whitey's WB handle was -brkt-
GronK
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I'm sorry....Godspeed!
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I have known Whitey for about 2 years now. I me him when i joined the Buccaneers. He first indoctrinated me into WWII aircraft by taking me up in his T-6. At our weekly meetings before the missions he would gather up actual WWII flight gear and show us what each item was used for. He would help with mission development to make sure we followed the "historic" method of recreating an event. His experience, expertise, and leadership will be missed.
One on the neatest experiences i had with him was when he and a parter (both piloting thier own T-6s) took me and my father up and did a little ACM for a little while. With my hands at the controls of the T-6, he taught me how to perform a lag roll, we performed a loops, and at the end we even buzzed the field.
We have truly lost a great man!
James "Jarbo" Pace
of the Buccaneers
P.S. his "warbirds" callsign was -brkt-
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I first met Whitey in the spring of 1996. Whitey was probably the most unique and charismatic person that I have ever known. When he talked everyone listened, he was a great story teller and the ultimate aviation buff. Where ever we went, he seemed to know everyone. I have been studying WWII aviation my entire life and knew virtually nothing about it in comparison to Whitey. He has owned several old warbirds, their high maintenance and his love of air shows lead to the formation of Fantasy Flight, as mentioned by several other Buccaneers above. Fantasy Flight was one of the most amazing things that I have ever been involve in. Almost every weekend in the summer of 1996, my wife and I would either help in the cleaning or maintenance the planes, or we were off to air shows, including Oshkosh. Whitey was not satisfied with just showing off the old planes. All members of Fantasy Flight wore authentic WWII uniforms everywhere we went. At big shows we showed off the planes, at small ones we sold rides. He insisted that everything that we took with us or wore be the real thing. He was rarely challenged because we all knew that he had a reputation for throwing things out of the window of the C-45, in-flight! We even had a couple of old Dodge Army Air Corps staff cars that we would drive to local events in. The pace that we kept that summer was incredible. Whitey's appetite for adventure seemed to wear out those of us who were half of his age. Whitey was the last true barnstormer.
I think Whitey discovered Warbirds in the spring of 1996. He soon turned several of the Fantasy Flight folks on to that flight sim and formed the Buccaneers. Just like in Fantasy Flight, we had to do things as authentically as possible. We would hold pre mission meetings at the Village Inn to go over flight assignments and plans. We have always tried to reenact specific WWII missions. Our missions always begin with a giant 7 to 12 person conference phone call (we each have a second phone line) and we hold strict radio com procedures (except for Wabbit (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) ). We begin by taxiing off the runway and shutting down our engines. Each flight leader calls out the colored flares for us to start engines, taxi and roll. These kind of things, as small as they may seem, help create a higher level of immersion, apprehension and fun. Only because of Whitey, have we become the kind of squad that we are.
One of the things that have made the Buccaneers so special was the fact that 12 of us live in the Colorado Springs area. We are much more than just online friends. We typically have been eating dinner together about every other week for the past few years. We all know each others families, pets, work situations etc. Whitey has done an incredible job of pulling together a great bunch of great guys and turning us into.... well, my best friends.
<S> to my leader, and friend.
Thank you, Whitey.
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Salute Whitey
LLB OUT
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My condolences
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Damned Stalker
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condolences...
May his God be with him.
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My condolences.
2Cool
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Thank you for the notice.
My thoughts and prayers will be directed towards the friends and family of Whitey.
<S> Whitey
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Words are never enough... (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
A big <S> to Whitey wherever he may fly now...
My prayers for his family, friends, the buccs.
Bee out
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I was 1st intoduce to Whitey by my brother "eskimo" and was allowed to join the Bucs with very little skill. Whitey was always willing to help me learn more on how to fly. One of the biggest regrets in my life will be the fact that I never got to meet him in person.
<S> Whitey!
[This message has been edited by Oosik (edited 10-04-2000).]
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(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
[This message has been edited by Oosik (edited 10-04-2000).]
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<S> to Whitey
My condolences to his family and to the Buccaneers. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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griz
THUNDERBIRDS
A wise man speaks when he has something to say, a fool when he has to say something.
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Budhman, I just read the post, I'm sorry (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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<S>!
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Vadr
Kommandeur, III/JG 2 'Richthofen' (http://www.jg2.org/)
CM, S3 Team (http://personal.smartt.com/~barbell/S3main.html)/Parser (http://www.cgidesign.net/s3/)
vadr@jg2.org
Combat Flightsim Business Forum (http://www.egroups.com/group/flightsimsonline)
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My sincere condolences to the family and to the Buccaneers
<S>!
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--
Atsushi Saitoh <3./JG68>
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My sincerest condolences.
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leonid, Kompol
5 GIAP VVS-KA, Knights (http://www.adamfive.com/guerrero)
"Our cause is just. The enemy will be crushed. Victory will be ours."
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Very Sad. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
Cabby
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=44th FS "VAMPIRES"=
"The Jungle Air Force"
Welcome To The Jungle!!!"
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(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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lynx
13 Sqn RAF
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..very sad new for our community ... my condolences (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Stefano "Nibbio"
4°Stormo CT "F.Baracca"
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err.. I apologize for my error (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/redface.gif)
Condolences (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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Stefano "Nibbio"
4°Stormo CT "F.Baracca"
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I would like to add my condolences to the family and friends of Whitey too. May you all find comfort in the knowledge that he isn't suffering anymore. He will be missed by those that were close to him.
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MarkAT
"It is not the critic who counts,
it is the man in the arena..."
Teddy Roosevelt
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This was in "The Gazette" obituaries this A.M.:
JERROLD "WHITEY" WANNEMACHER
Mr. Wannemacher, 62, died Oct. 4, 2000, at his home in
Colorado Springs. He was a pilot for Region
Five-Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Mr. Wannemacher was born Jan. 13, 1938, in Ottoville,
Ohio, to Hubert and Armella (Knippen) Wannemacher.
His father is deceased. He was married June 13, 1987,
to Phyllis Roseman.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Ken; three daughters,
Kim Neal, Karen Ardner and Kathy Greaves; the
children's half-brother, Michael Domin; a sister, Darla
Rahrig; and 10 grandchildren.
A memorial gathering will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at
Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave.,
471-9900. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at
Swan Law Cascade Chapel. Cremation is planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made
to Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, 610 Abbot
Lane, Colorado Springs 80905.
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(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif) <S>
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My sensere condolences to the Family of Whitey, and the Buccaneers.
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NHFoxtro
-XO- Night Hawks
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my condolences <S>
Eagler
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Salute! Whitey
Condolence to the family (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
We lost one of us.
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Naso
4° Stormo Caccia "F.Baracca" (http://digilander.iol.it/4Stormo)
L'è Buna!!
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<S> May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
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My condolences (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
blitz
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Whitey was one of those rare people that you are fortunate to meet. He changed our outlook and enriched our lives, "...a 20 year old trapped in a 62 year old body."
Whitey and I flew many times together, riding in his T-6 or C-45, the DOW airplane, sport biplanes, Warbirds, AH. We've spent many hours talking about flying and life in general. We met at an FBO counter in Colo Spgs, CO, in 1994. He was filling up the DOW C-185 and I'd just jointly purchased a sport biplane with some military buddies. As usual with Whitey, a friendly conversation started. Before we parted at that first meeting, we'd agreed that Whitey would teach me how to fly a taildragger in exchange for my sharing my experiences and showing him some air combat tactics. That was the beginning of a great friendship.
His enthusiasm for living and caring was hard to match. A short time ago he said, "Mike, I only have one regret in life...I never got to fly a P-51..." He smiled and looked away...
If ever there was a reincarnate fighter pilot from WWII, it was Whitey. He'd have been an ace and a national hero. He's certainly a hero in anyone's eyes who ever shared their life with him. Only two weeks ago he was talking about another motorcycle trip and where he'd fly this month. I think he knew he'd "brief it but never fly it." Phyllis, his wonderful wife, has been his confidant and spirit. She was always there and has always shared and supported his zest for life and adventure.
Phyllis and the family, our prayers and support.
Whitey, I know you're probably working on that P-51 ride right now...
Knfe Out
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I am the son of knfe or as called by the group "little knfe" I have known whitey for 4 years when I began flying with him in the Fantasy Flight group. He actually got me started by loaning my one of his uniforms, a picture I could never forget. He told me "don't get use to it kid, your gonna have to get your own." Well I have and whitey, you sure have made me a collector.
When I think of whitey I see those times at oshkosh when whitey is telling one of his stories about dropping fish into the Colorado lakes. When would spend so many hours in the front of the C-45 talking about anything. Whitey was the first man to let me try my hand at formation flying, and how whenever he saw me he would always call me "Tiger." Whitey gave all of the members of Fantasy Flight a look into the past while preserving it in the present. He gave us a way of doing of expressing our love of flying and in the airshows, passing our love on. I remember the those little kids, sitting in the cockpit of the T-6, with the look of amasement and pure joy, because they knew where they were and they knew they wanted to fly, and that is why we did this. Whitey gave many the inspiration to fly and to never give up on thier dreams he always told me I could do anything.
Well Whitey I guess the time has come for you to fly off into your sunset. What you left behind for us in the many live you have touched will live on forever. I will miss you, my hero
tiger
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Please check the thread entitled:
"In honor of Whitey, the CO of the Buccaneers"
for the time frame of his missing man and mass formation fly-by.
Thanks to everyone for their warm condolences and respects.
mark
a.k.a wabbit
The Engineering Officer
The Buccaneers
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Im very sorry to hear of this loss. My condolences to Whiteys family, the Bucs, and all his cyber friends. May the good memories he provided live on.
Salute!
Cell
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(http://www.fantasyflight.org/buccaneers/images/fgroup8.jpg)
Whitey is standing up in the back row at the far right side.
[This message has been edited by wabbit (edited 10-07-2000).]