I worked for Mel in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when I was a flight instructor in Madison, WI, and Mel was our chief instructor and pilot examiner.  One seemingly random day in early 1990, he told me not to schedule any students with him during an upcoming weekend.  I asked him, just curious, what he had planned.  He said he was going to a reunion.  I said it sounded like fun - where was he going?  Indianapolis, he said.  Cool, I replied, and asked what kind of reunion.  The Indianapolis, he said.  It took me a few seconds to realize what he'd just told me.  Even after knowing him for several years and working for him for two years, I'd had no idea he'd every even been in the military, then he drops this on me so casually...  Once I recovered myself, I said, "You can't just leave it there - you have to tell me the story now!"  And he told me the story I'll never forget and you all know so well.  

I only wish I'd heard about his passing when it happened (just two weeks ago), as I would have been honored to play Taps at his funeral, as I've done -sadly - for a few other friends.  

RIP, Mel...

http://host.madison.com/news/local/obituaries/jacob-melvin-carl/article_5b6b8e05-685d-5e28-8536-46b78e54cfe5.html