Collapse of the Indianapolis Air Show and my deep regret
Tom Lund said
Jan 20, 2014
As a member of the planning committee of the Indianapolis Air Show representing Riley Hospital for Children, I deeply regret what has happened to the show we all put on each year for a lot of reasons but particularly, since I'm the only Navy guy on the Committee, I had the plum assignment and great personal honor of being the Show's chaperone for the Survivors and their families. I am going to miss that assignment more than words can express. I served in the US Navy from age 17 through 21 myself, as most of the survivors did, and as a military, particularly, naval history fanatic it was a great joy for me just to be there with them. They are all heroes to me although I know that the real heroes, as they would be the first to exclaim, are those that are still at sea. I got to talk "Navy talk" with them that never involved anything regarding the lost of their ship or their shipmates but as one sailor talking to other sailors. I got to hear in conversation a first-hand account of the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" from people that were there and experienced it from incredible ring-side seats and we just jabbered like the kids we still are at heart - fun for me and fun for them. Nothing will ever top that! Thanks for the opportunity to serve and God bless all of the survivors, these very fine gentlemen, and their families and may Almighty God continue to look after those of the crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis that are still at sea and those that are still here to grace us all with their presence.
As a member of the planning committee of the Indianapolis Air Show representing Riley Hospital for Children, I deeply regret what has happened to the show we all put on each year for a lot of reasons but particularly, since I'm the only Navy guy on the Committee, I had the plum assignment and great personal honor of being the Show's chaperone for the Survivors and their families. I am going to miss that assignment more than words can express. I served in the US Navy from age 17 through 21 myself, as most of the survivors did, and as a military, particularly, naval history fanatic it was a great joy for me just to be there with them. They are all heroes to me although I know that the real heroes, as they would be the first to exclaim, are those that are still at sea. I got to talk "Navy talk" with them that never involved anything regarding the lost of their ship or their shipmates but as one sailor talking to other sailors. I got to hear in conversation a first-hand account of the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" from people that were there and experienced it from incredible ring-side seats and we just jabbered like the kids we still are at heart - fun for me and fun for them. Nothing will ever top that! Thanks for the opportunity to serve and God bless all of the survivors, these very fine gentlemen, and their families and may Almighty God continue to look after those of the crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis that are still at sea and those that are still here to grace us all with their presence.